Krystal Aw Q&A
During the recent Australian Women’s Snooker Open we caught up with Krystal Aw to discuss her snooker journey so far.
From Singapore but now resident in Australia, Aw made her WWS Tour debut at the 2023 Australian Open, finishing fourth in her group, before returning a year later to qualify for the last 16 for the first time.
Hi Krystal, how have you enjoyed your time so far at this event?
It has been awesome, I really had fun, and I am awe struck to see the good players like Jessica, On Yee and people like that. When On Yee faced me, I was excited like a schoolgirl!
How did you first become interested in snooker?
I was studying for my exams in the pub because it’s quiet and I saw people playing pool. When I finished my exams, I started playing pool a bit and one month I remembered my sister used to play snooker and I used to be her ball girl. So, I thought maybe I could try to learn how to play snooker because I don’t really like pool, it’s too noisy and too rowdy so that’s when I ended up there.
The first person I saw to ask permission to play was my mentor Dennis Paul, so I ended up going there and play, he gave me pointers, how to stand and everything. I learned how to cue and that’s how I started.
Eight months on, someone suggested that I play in the State Minors so I started playing and immediately made the finals. I then got to know Carlie [Tait], she got me to play in the State Major and the World Women’s last year, so this is my second year.
It’s more satisfying to play snooker than pool where you always hear people shouting, drunk and that kind of culture in the club.
How important are these events to you?
It’s a fun day for me, a learning experience. I am in awe when I play with better snooker players and to watch how they play, how they cue because I’m still not good in my positioning. It’s a good learning experience so me coming here is like me paying for school fees and learning something!
And the other best bit is the people. I think here in Australia the snooker people are awesome. They are so encouraging, and I like this community a lot.
How important is that community to you and how much have they helped you on your snooker adventure so far?
It’s a big part. People are so encouraging and there to help, people are very nice and friendly. I’ve never come across any cliques or anything like that, so far it never happened to me, everyone is very nice, and it has been great to meet new friends.
Carlie is the one who encouraged me to play in these kinds of events after the State Minors. We always have a joke about her conning me into playing and she plays a very big part in keeping all of the girls together so I’m always very thankful to her, she is awesome.
The next one is my mentor Dennis Paul who spends his time guiding me, I am always very thankful. He is like a second father to me, and he behaves like my father! (laughs).
Do you have any particular targets in the sport?
I hope that one day I can win the women’s state major. I would be happy with that, and the next one is to have a better high break. My target is 50 and I want to be more consistent.
What is your practice set-up like and how often do you get the chance to practice with other people?
I practice at the club near my place, and they have seven tables which is good and the people there are always very nice.
I mainly practice with myself, sometimes with the guys but if I get a chance, I prefer to practice with myself, to stop jabbing the balls! (laughs)
Would you welcome a second event in Australia in the future?
A second event would be awesome, another chance to be awe struck and to meet the girls again. A lot of the girls are all over the country so it would be another fun week.
Would you be tempted to travel abroad and play in other events?
Yeah, maybe one day if I feel that I am better.
I did see the World Championship on TV with Bai Yulu and wow it was very nice. You guys did an awesome job, a big event, it looks really awesome. All the media and stuff like that was very good!
And what do you like to get up to when not playing snooker?
I am a horticulturalist, so I studied that full-time for a while to get certified and now that is my job! My other hobby is gardening which turns out to be my career now and snooker is my next love.
Finally, I would like to thank Carlie for all the support, encouragement that she has always given me and to the people that have helped me in my two-year snooker career, including Dennis Paul, Greg Jenkins, Mark Harper and a few others who have given me pointers here and there.
Thank you to Krystal for taking time out to chat to us and we look forward to seeing her again at a future tournament!
