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Women’s world champion Reanne Evans explains her struggles to make a living ahead of Champion of Champions debut


Reanne Evans is aiming to cause a big shock at the Champion of Champions (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Reanne Evans is a 12-time women’s world champion, but will win more money than she ever has before this week at the Champion of Champions, even if she loses in the first round.

The most successful woman ever to play snooker is making her debut at the Champion of Champions in Coventry, and is guaranteed a prize of £12,500, even if she loses to Shaun Murphy on Monday.

This is more than double the £6,000 she won for winning her 12th world title in Thailand earlier this year and demonstrates the vast disparity between the men’s and women’s games.

‘The women’s tour is five to seven events per year and I might get an invitation or an exhibition on top of that,’ Evans told Sportsmail.

‘There’s more travelling with events in Thailand, Hong Kong and Australia, and that’s good but it’s more expensive. If I win an event I earn around £1,200 before expenses.

‘You need a good sponsor or you can’t make a living. Every year I tend to win the most titles but struggle to make a living just through prize money. It’s hard and discouraging.

‘I earned £450 for winning my first World Championship in Cambridge but the hotel cost me more than that. It is getting better but it’s baby steps.

‘Fingers crossed something clicks into place for ladies’ snooker before I get too old.’

More opportunities are emerging for the female players, including the Women’s Tour Championship played at the Crucible for the first time this year, and won by Evans.

Despite the 34-year-old’s immense success over her career, victory over Murphy on Monday would be the most eye-catching of her life, and she knows what a giant opportunity it is for her.

‘I’m always there to win,’ continued Evans. ‘But all the players are top draw so I’m just looking forward to it. These are the people you want to play but I don’t get that opportunity very often so hopefully I can take it with both hands.’

Evans takes on Murphy at 2pm on Monday 4 November, live on ITV4.

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