Zak Surety Desperate for Crucible Return After 'Surreal' Record-Breaking Debut
Zak Surety made a record-breaking impression on his Crucible debut last year and is now desperate to return to snooker's hallowed ground. The 34-year-old enjoyed a brilliant end to the previous season, reaching his first ranking semi-final at the World Open before qualifying for the World Championship for the first time.
Nerves and Triumph at the Iconic Theatre
At the Crucible, Surety faced Ding Junhui and got off to a rocky start, losing the first four frames as nerves jangled in the iconic theatre. However, he settled impressively, becoming the first Crucible debutant to make four centuries in his opening match on the famous stage. Despite losing 10-7 to the Chinese legend, Surety found his feet in Sheffield and is itching to tread those boards again this month.
'There's obviously players in the past have only played there once and you see the tour every year, it's so hard to get through,' Surety told Metro. 'I'm trying not to think that way, because I'm desperate to get back there.'
A Surreal Experience and Lessons Learned
Reflecting on his debut, Surety admitted the experience felt surreal. 'I said all the right things last year that I was going to enjoy it, but I don't even remember walking through the curtain!' he said. 'I remember Rob [Walker] saying my name, and him getting the crowd clapping, but I don't remember the walk down the steps to the chair.'
He recalled advice from his manager, Jason Pegram, to take in the moment, but found it overwhelming. 'I'd love to get back there and sit in the chair and think that I belong there rather than it all being new,' Surety added. 'I thought I felt okay, but then every time I got to the table, I tried to convince myself I was meant to feel as bad as I felt and then it got a bit on top of me until I made that first century. Then I loved it.'
Preparation and Practice for Qualifiers
To return to the Crucible, Surety must win two qualifying matches, starting with a clash against Oliver Sykes on Sunday afternoon. He has been working hard with regular practice partner Stuart Bingham and traveling to face world number three Neil Robertson, which has been an educational experience.
'He's been good to me really. He chats to me, gives me some tips, you can't really beat that kind of practice can you?' Surety said of Robertson. 'I've had some absolute batterings from him in his club, which is good for you. I've beaten him this season in a big tournament, but I kind of forget that and I just turn into like this young lad who's going to practice with the big bad pro.'
He emphasized the value of learning from a triple crown winner and world champion. 'He told me a few home truths about how I should practice, stuff I know deep down, but when a triple crown winner, a world champion tells you, you've got to take it on board,' Surety noted. 'We had a really good game the other day, I held my own, so it's the perfect prep going into the qualifiers.'
Surety's journey highlights the intense pressure and prestige of the Crucible, as he aims to transform his surreal debut into a sustained presence on snooker's biggest stage.
