Jack Lisowski has described the moment he learned he is expecting a baby boy as "very, very special, very emotional," as he prepares for fatherhood following the death of his father last year.
The 35-year-old snooker player lost his father in March last year, having rushed home from the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong after hearing the unexpected news. Seven months later, he won the first ranking title of his career after 15 years as a professional, beating Judd Trump in the Northern Ireland Open final.
Gender reveal in Brazil
Lisowski got engaged to girlfriend Bela in December and in August this year the couple announced they are expecting their first child in January. The pair posted a gender reveal in Bela's native Brazil, where a dog brought in blue balloons to reveal they are expecting a boy.
"That was in Rio two months ago, so he's coming in about three months now, in January," said Lisowski, speaking ahead of his Northern Ireland Open title defence starting on Sunday.
Emotional connection to his father
The gender reveal was poignant for Lisowski after the loss of his father, as he now sees himself stepping into the role of his dad. "I remember I really wanted it to be a boy. I didn't really admit that to anyone, but deep down I just really wanted the first one to be a boy," he said.
"When the dog came around with the blue balloons, I couldn't believe it. I was so happy. I was just thinking about my dad, because now I'm going to have a little boy and I feel like maybe I get to relive what he did with me. I can try and emulate that with a boy. It's just very, very special, very emotional."
Family support and future plans
Lisowski's family were all in Brazil when the pregnancy was announced. "She [my mum] was actually in Brazil at the time when we found out that Bela was pregnant," he said. "So we told my mum and my sister and Bela's mum and dad all at the same time because we were all out there."
The snooker player acknowledged his schedule may be affected by the birth, which is set to take place in Brazil. "I'm pretty sure I'm going to miss a tournament or two," he said. "It's happening in Brazil as well, so I'm going to have to go out there for the birth, obviously. I can't miss that. January, February, could just be a bit up in the air."
Lisowski starts his title defence in Belfast on Sunday afternoon against Huang Jiahao.
