Jack Lisowski breaks down in tears after finally winning first ranking tournament title months after losing father

A memorable Northern Ireland Open Final saw the Cheltenham potter win 9-8 over best friend Judd Trump to bank the £100,000 top prize in Belfast.

Jack Lisowski breaks down in tears after finally winning first ranking tournament title months after losing fatherCredit: Eurosport

Judd Trump helped Jack Lisowski pick up the pieces after the death of his fatherCredit: X/tntsports

Jack Lisowski won his first ranking title at the Northern Ireland OpenCredit: Getty

The snooker star lost his father earlier this yearCredit: Instagram @jacklisowski After SIX successive final losses – three of which had been at the hands of Juddernaut – he managed to get over the line for the first time in 15 years as a professional.

The tears he wept were because he had lost his beloved dad earlier this year, the man who guided him to the top level of the sport.

He found out while he was in Hong Kong in March about the passing and Trump, 36, had been the one who picked him up during those very dark days.

Lisowski, 34, top scored with a break of 112 in frame six, came from 7-6 down and then celebrated with his girlfriend Isabella, uncle and new coach Chris Henry.

He said: “I feel like I am going to pass out! I have never felt like this in my life before. It feels so surreal. I feel like I am dreaming.

“I have thought about this since I was six or seven years old. It has taken me a bit longer than I would have liked.

“I want to say to Judd, he has been my best friend since I was 14 years old.

He was there with me, we were in a restaurant in Hong Kong and I got the message about my dad.

Emotions were running high as Lisowski finally got over the lineCredit: X/tntsports

Lisowski beat his close friend Judd Trump 9-8 in the finalCredit: Getty BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS

“You have been the best friend I could have ever asked for over these last eight months.

“He’s one of the greatest snooker players of all time. He has been the best friend I could have asked for.

“You are the closest thing I could have ever asked for in a brother. And I love you.

“I will remember this for the rest of my life. It’s probably downhill from here.”

The monkey is off his back and Lisowski – for so long an undisciplined player yet wonderful to watch – has his hands on the Alex Higgins Trophy.

It should be the kickstart to his career and is unlikely to be the only time he lifted silverware going forward.

Lisowski said: “Usually I go on Instagram or Twitter every day and someone is messaging me, saying you will never win a ranking title.

“I don’t talk about it. I’m a humble guy. I’m happy with one. This has been my dream since I was so young.

“I have got my dad’s socks on today. When he passed away, the first thing I said was he’d never see me win a ranking title.

“But someone told me you can do it for your mum. This is for him, if he watches down on me, and for my mum, too. The support she has given me.

“My mum still picks me up when I am down, even though I am 34.”

Lisowski is a popular winner for all sorts of reasons Trump was genuinely overjoyed for his friend and hugged Lisowski at the end.

The world No1 – whose best break was 97 in frame two – was gracious in the loss and gave a humble response.

The Bristol star, who often parties in Dubai with Lisowski, said: “I’m so pleased for Jack.

“I would never take it for granted but I am probably happier than if I had won.

“I gave it my absolute all. It wasn’t to be. I missed a few shots. Jack fully deserved the win. No person is happier for him than me.

“It’s so nice he can shut everyone up. It annoys me. No-one can say that again.

“The first title is so special, what he has been through. He has an amazing family and friends. I am glad to be a friend.”