SNOOKER star Zak Surety revealed he still suffers from imposter syndrome despite his growing success in the sport.
Surety, 33, has made headlines ever since his semi-final run at the World Open in February before beating Antoni Kowalski, Jack Lisowski and Ricky Walden on his Crucible debut in April.
Zak Surety still suffers from imposter syndromeRyan Crockett/Every Second Media
Despite his recent success, Surety still struggles with anxiety and intrusive thoughtsRyan Crockett/Every Second Media
The Essex cueman has come a long way from watching the World Snooker Championship at home in his pants, as he previously revealed four months ago.
But despite all of his recent victories, the star from Basildon still struggles with anxiety and intrusive thoughts even though he has proven he belongs in the same category as the best.
So much so that he receives texts from superstars like Neil Robertson and wonders if they got the wrong number.
Surety told Metro: “I still get imposter syndrome around everything I do. I sit there at night and think: ‘Am I really going to do that tomorrow?’
“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?’
“I feel like I’m still… the imposter syndrome is still there every day but I do feel like I’m more of a player.
“I’m going in the club in the morning, I know what I’m doing and I’m happier away from the table.
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“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.”
Surety is still dealing with some of those negative thoughts while playing at top level.
However, the snooker star knows how much he has improved and that has raised his confidence.
Surety added: “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.
“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.
“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.”
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.
1969 – John Spencer
1970 – Ray Reardon
1971 – John Spencer
1972 – Alex Higgins
1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
1977 – John Spencer (2)
1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
1979 – Terry Griffiths
1980 – Cliff Thorburn
1981 – Steve Davis
1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
1983 – Steve Davis (2)
1984 – Steve Davis (3)
1985 – Dennis Taylor
1986 – Joe Johnson
1987 – Steve Davis (4)
1988 – Steve Davis (5)
1989 – Steve Davis (6)
1990 – Stephen Hendry
1991 – John Parrott
1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
1997 – Ken Doherty
1998 – John Higgins
1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
2000 – Mark Williams
2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
2002 – Peter Ebdon
2003 – Mark Williams (2)
2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
2005 – Shaun Murphy
2006 – Graeme Dott
2007 – John Higgins (2)
2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3)
2009 – John Higgins (3)
2010 – Neil Robertson
2011 – John Higgins (4)
2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4)
2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5)
2014 – Mark Selby
2015 – Stuart Bingham
2016 – Mark Selby (2)
2017 – Mark Selby (3)
2018 – Mark Williams (3)
2019 – Judd Trump
2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6)
2021 – Mark Selby (4)
2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7)
2023 – Luca Brecel
2024 – Kyren Wilson
2025 – Zhao Xintong
Most World Titles (modern era)
7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan
6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
2 – Alex Higgins
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