Ross Smith believes he is setting the foundations for long-term success, as he continues his BoyleSports World Grand Prix campaign on Thursday night.
Smith will face former Masters champion Joe Cullen for a place in the last eight in Leicester, as he sets his sights on a maiden quarter-final appearance in the double-start event.
This would represent another milestone moment in the career of Smith, who has made sustained progress since returning to the sport in 2018.
The 34-year-old celebrated his breakthrough triumph at the top level with victory in last year’s European Championship, defeating five televised title winners to prevail in Dortmund.
Smith added a third PDC ranking title to his haul with a Players Championship crown back in March, and despite closing in on a place in the world’s top 16, he’s still not satisfied with his campaign to date.
“I have set my standards high, but I think you need to,” insisted Smith, who defeated world number one Michael Smith to lift last year's European Championship.
“I have won a Players Championship event [in 2023], I’ve made the semi-finals on the European Tour, and if you had said that to me last year, I would have probably said I was having a great year.
“Now I feel that’s not good enough. I want to be in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of every TV event.
“I have to strive to be better and that is what I am trying to do, both on and off the board. I know it’s not going to happen overnight, but I’m pushing.
“I want to win another major title, I want to win Players Championships, I want to win European Tour events. I want to beat whoever is in front of me basically.”
The Dover darter is one of the sport’s new breed of stars who places a priority on fitness - an approach he believes will pay dividends over the long-term.
“I don’t think I am anywhere near my best, but I know if I keep working hard, then it will come,” added Smith, who is targeting a second televised success in Leicester this week.
“I am working hard behind the scenes. I’m looking after myself. I think it’s going to be a long process, but I’m doing everything right, and hopefully it will pay off.
“I may not see results overnight, but all of my statistics have improved over the last 12 months, so I am going in the right direction.
“This is an amazing opportunity and career to have. It’s a privilege to be here and I want to work hard. I don’t want to ever retire and feel that I left anything behind.”
Smith is making his third consecutive World Grand Prix appearance this year, and he kicked off his campaign with an impressive straight-sets success against 2021 champion Jonny Clayton.
The European Champion has lost in the second round in his previous two double-start appearances, although he’s hopeful of breaking new ground at the Morningside Arena.
? @RossSmith180 says his fine run of form is due to no longer thinking about who he is facing and staying true to his own game.#BoyleSportsWGP | @OfficialPDC pic.twitter.com/QdxgtAdqVd
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) October 4, 2023
“I believe it’s going to come and I am just telling myself the tide will turn,” Smith told BoyleSports, ahead of his last 16 clash against Cullen.
“I like Joe. He’s a good guy and a great dart player, but to be honest with you, I don’t really look at my opponents anymore.
“I just concentrate on my own game and my own performance, and hopefully it will be enough to get through another round.”
The BoyleSports World Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2023 BoyleSports World Grand Prix
Thursday October 5 (1900 BST)
Second Round x4
Luke Humphries v Luke Woodhouse
Peter Wright v Ryan Searle
Michael van Gerwen v Chris Dobey
Ross Smith v Joe Cullen