Damon Heta is bidding to rediscover the winning formula on the big stage ahead of his crunch clash against Adrian Lewis at the Cazoo World Darts Championship on Sunday.
Heta – making his fourth World Championship appearance - will take on two-time World Champion Lewis in a blockbuster second round showdown at Alexandra Palace on Sunday afternoon.
The 35-year-old has enjoyed a terrific ProTour season, claiming a brace of titles to top the Players Championship Order of Merit, while also celebrating his first European Tour success in Gibraltar.
Heta has been unable to replicate that success on the sport’s biggest stages however, having failed to go beyond the opening round in any of his last five televised events.
“I’ve always been that consistent player, so to not bring it out on the big TV stages, that is where it’s disheartening,” conceded Heta.
“I’ve had some real beatings on TV, even when I’m playing well, and sometimes you think: ‘What have I got to do here?’ Hopefully my day will come.
“I want to start going deeper in these big events and the more I get into tournaments, the better I will get, so fingers crossed it all comes together at Ally Pally.”
Ahead of the annual pilgrimage to the capital, Heta is hoping to channel the spirit of Australia’s maiden World Cup of Darts success back in June.
Heta and Simon Whitlock guided Australia to glory against Welsh duo Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton on a memorable night in Frankfurt – a win they dedicated to the late Kyle Anderson.
“It just felt like the day – everything was happening for me and I was riding with it,” reflected Heta, who made his breakthrough with Brisbane Darts Masters victory in 2019.
“The year before was just after Kyle’s death, but it felt like we played with freedom this year.
“You’ve got two elite Australian dart players right now, and how many more years will that be the case until someone else comes through? We needed to take our moment.”
It would be the ultimate irony if Heta was to lift the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy following his raft of early exits on the TV stage, but he believes he can challenge for the sport’s biggest prize.
“I think everyone that plays darts – that is their main goal,” added the Australian, who was beaten in round three by eventual champion Peter Wright 12 months ago.
“Everybody wants to be a World Champion, but not everyone can be, so I’m going to work as hard as I can and take each game as it comes.
“I believe it will happen for me. I always put the work in, I’m literally here for darts and I see myself doing great things.”