Former world champion Michael Smith heads to Alexandra Palace defending a lot of ranking money but insists his only focus is to win the whole thing.
Smith has been inconsistent since winning a major world title in January 2023, admitting he spent a year celebrating the end of his dream, the St Helens man hitting nine- darter on his way to being crowned world champion.
In May, he then picked up his first ranking title in 11 months before winning the World Cup of Darts with Luke Humphries, giving a glimpse of the sensational talent that everyone knows – follow his darts.
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Watch Wayne Mardle and Stuart Pyke take on Michael van Gerwen v Michael Smith in a thrilling World Championship Final that ended with a nine-darter for Bully Boy
Due to the PDC's two-year Order of Merit system, Smith needs a good run at the Worlds just to stay in the top 10, a feat many would see as under pressure, especially as a former world no. before.
However, Smith insists that he has only one focus and that is to become a two-time world champion and from there, the rankings will sort themselves out.
But if he ever drops out of the top 64, you won't see 'BullyBoy' at Q School.
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Michael Smith lifted the Sid Waddell trophy after defeating Michael van Gerwen in the World Championship Final.
“I don't really (think about it), because the only thing that stresses me now is the questions about that. But I don't worry about it, because I don't going to fall out of the top 16,” Smith said.
“I might fall out of the top 10 if I don't pull my finger out, but it means next year and then, because I've almost taken a year now, I have nothing to defend.
“So I've probably got about £120,000 to protect next year, so I'll be back to work anyway. So next year, no worries, no pressure, I'm just to play darts. On the other hand, my management team can worry about it, my family can worry about it, I just want to play.
“As long as I don't drop out of 64, because then I'll leave then. If I drop out of 64, I won't do Q School, because I know I wasn't good enough, so I'll just literally start something else.”
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Michael Smith produced a stunning final to win the World Championship Final against Michael van Gerwen
With so much at stake and a mixed year so far, Smith knows he could turn up at Alexandra Palace and turn a 50/50 year into a great one and with that in mind, the target is lower” he ran to the semi. – finals.
“Every time I play, I want to win. So the main goal is just to win the World Championships. The least I want is a semi-final. My ranking,” said Smith.
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Michael Smith hits an incredible 180 despite finding himself three legs down against Mike Decker at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts
“But the semis are not the lowest for me, but I'm not turning up to win. As you shouldn't think, I would like to get to the third round of the Worlds, or the last 16, yes you want to be the World Champion.
“It all goes down to December 15 when the month of the Worlds starts. If I can get my game ready for that, or win the Worlds, my year has been amazing again.
“So it's just that one event that we've worked on for 12 months, wins, and then everything is forgotten.
“The Ally Pally, there's no better feeling, especially when you're standing on that stage too. You spent 12 months of the year trying to get there, you're finally there, and you don't want to blow it then. That's the only thing under pressure you think, forget being out, it's a wasted year.”
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Speaking on Love The Darts, Sky Sports Darts editor Megan Wellens and Matthew Edgar discuss the pressure on Michael Smith's ranking position at the end of this year.
When is the World Darts Championship held?
The tournament kicks off at Alexandra Palace on Sunday 15 December, with three first round matches and one second round match on the opening night.
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Speaking on Love The Darts, Michael Bridge and Polly James discuss which players they still fear when playing against them
Darts will be live over each of the following eight days, including seven afternoon sessions, with the usual three day break from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day before returning with a third round and a double session on December 27.
The third and fourth rounds will be completed by December 30 before New Year's Eve, with the quarter-finals held over two sessions on New Year's Day before the semi-finals on 2 January and the final on Friday 3rd January.
A full day-by-day schedule for this year's tournament is available here here.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch all the matches live exclusively from 15 December to 3 January on Sky Sports' exclusive darts channel. Stream darts and more sports favorites with NOW.
