Zak Surety still battling imposter syndrome despite dramatic career turnaround

Zak Surety may have enjoyed the finest few months of his career, but he is still battling himself on the table almost as much as his opponent.

The 33-year-old first turned pro in 2014 but attracted few headlines with his performances until a run to the World Open semi-finals in February.

The Essex cueman had never been to a quarter-final before that week in Yushan, which only saw him edged out 6-5 by eventual champion John Higgins.

He proved it was not just a flash in the pan as he impressively beat Antoni Kowalski, Jack Lisowski and Ricky Walden in World Championship qualifying to make his Crucible debut in April.

Things looked bleak at the iconic Sheffield theatre as he lost the first four frames to Ding Junhui, but then he settled, eventually losing 10-7 but becoming the first player ever to make four centuries on Crucible debut.

It may have been a first round defeat, but the debutant showed that he belonged on the sport’s greatest stage in that second session.

Surety then won his first four games of the new season, further cementing his improved stature in the game, but while his confidence has been boosted, things are still not coming easy for him.

The world number 64 as spoken openly about struggles with anxiety and intrusive thoughts during matches and while travelling, difficulties that have eased slightly thanks to his fine form, but have not disappeared.

‘Every time I’m playing, I’m still sort of thinking…the thoughts haven’t changed, but I’m aware that I’m doing a bit better, so obviously that brings confidence.’ Surety told Metro.

‘But I never really feel still settled out there, I’m still a bit edgy. I’m waiting for that day when I go: “You know, I think I belong here today.” And who knows, it might happen one day.

‘The only time it’s happened was the second session at the Crucible. Which is mad, considering how I feel most of the time.

‘I do sit in my seat trying to think differently and something has changed, definitely, with the runs I’ve had. Obviously it might put your opponents under pressure. You might be getting the odd chance more. I suppose that’s just natural. I’ve got to keep riding now. I’ve got to keep going. Hopefully more doors open.’

Surety is a very likeable guy, who enjoyed his summer off from snooker at Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Timberlake gigs with his girlfriend and a Pitbull show with his mates he only just remembers thanks to the power of Jagerbombs.

His complete lack of ego could be to his detriment, but is also a nice quality of a world class sportsman.

‘I still get imposter syndrome around everything I do. I sit there at night and think: “Am I really going to do that tomorrow?”‘ Surety said.

‘For example, driving up here [to the Championship League] and I’ve had Neil Robertson text me asking if I fancy a couple of games next week? His name pops up on my phone. I’m thinking: “Are you sure you’ve got the right number?”

‘Ali Carter’s texted me to play next week. How good’s that! I’ll still be thinking like, what are you doing texting me? But I’ve got it all sorted at the moment. I’ll keep pushing on and hopefully go to the next level.’

There is definitely progress, as much as Surety struggles to accept that he is a player who can compete with anyone on the planet, he does now at least accept that he is a professional.

‘The Wuhan [Open] qualifying was the first time it didn’t feel like a final, it felt like I just rocked up for a day’s work,’ he said of his first game of this season. ‘Go, play a game of snooker, get through and off to China. That’s definitely a positive. I felt like a pro now, not just a top up.’

As is the case with so many improving players, it is finding happiness and contentment in life, not just form on the table that leads to good results.

Surety gives a lot of credit to his upturn in results to JP’s Snooker and Pool Club in Harlow where he practices, its manager, Jason Pegram, who has become a mentor, confidant and travel companion on tour and the fact his girlfriend works in the club.

‘I feel like I’m still…the impostor syndrome is still there every day but I do feel like I’m more of a player,’ he said.

‘I’m going in the club in the morning, I know what I’m doing and I’m happier away from the table. That’s the biggest thing, away from the table, because there were times I just didn’t want to play anymore.

‘But now with my girlfriend, we have a laugh in the evening, we have a laugh at the club which is a lot more chill, I think.

‘Jason’s coming with me to Saudi and to China again, he came last time and we did well.’

Surety is next in action when he comes in at round two of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters against either Iulian Boiko or Liu Wenwei on Saturday August 9.

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