Women Are Doing It For Themselves
Move over boys because the world of billiards is becoming increasingly popular amongst female players. It seems that more and more women are entering the sport and enjoying the success and glory which accompanies it.
Rising billiards star Dawn Hopkins will be competing for the US Open title this week for the first time. Hopkins has just been ranked amongst the top 15 on the Women’s Professional Billiards Tour and she has realised how much the sport has changed her life.
When I first started I was working two jobs - a full-time and a part-time, on my vacations I would come out here and play,’ said Hopkins. ‘My life changed quite a bit from this being kind of a part-time thing to this evolving. I began a magazine on my own on top of the two jobs. Being able to drop the jobs eventually and sell the mag eventually and then come out here full-time. Personally, I’m able to stand on my own two feet out here versus having to work a regular job and have to do this on the side - which a lot of these girls have to do.’
More and more women billiard players are taking to the sport and seeing it as a lucrative business, which brings money and fame.
Jasmin Ouschan spoke about the sport, ‘When it comes to the business side of the sport, I just want to make sure we sell the sport right. It is a sport - we need to let the people know that.’
Ouschan explained how the world of billiards not only earns extra cash but it is also a great confidence boost. With the US Open just around the corner, the players get the chance to mingle with their fans,
‘it’s part of my job,’ explained Ouschan, ‘people come up because they like you - they like your game. They want to have an autograph or talk for a few minutes, and hat’s ok. That’s part of it and I love it - it makes you feel good.’
Ouschan, from Austria has played the game or 16 years, however, she only turned pro in 2007, and is enjoying the exposure,
‘The media coverage got more and more. It happened that a lot of people started coming up to me and say hey - you’re the one I saw on TV. I have been having a lot of comments at my homepage. I am really busy and it’s nice - it’s my job and I love it.’
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