Michael Smith is in bullish mood as he embarks on a crucial period in his season, starting with this year’s Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts.
The 2022 Grand Slam of Darts was a defining tournament in the career of Smith, transforming him from a perennial contender into a proven winner.
The 34-year-old backed up his Grand Slam success with a historic World Championship triumph just weeks later, and now he’s hoping his return to Wolverhampton can provide another turning point.
Smith begins the event as the world number two, but with over £650,000 to defend on the two-year PDC Order of Merit over the coming months, his position in the world’s top ten could be in jeopardy.
“If I said I didn’t feel pressure I’d be lying, but I’ve been around this game long enough now to know what’s happening,” Smith told the Darts Show Podcast.
‘Yes I’m defending a lot of money; yes I’m not playing at the level I’d like to be, but I think in spells you’ve seen what I can produce.
“I know it’s there, it’s just not consistently there, and I think that’s down to last year where I only really played stage events. I lost a bit of confidence in my game.
“Hopefully it all falls into place, but if it doesn’t, come next year it’s a new season and I’ve got virtually nothing to defend.”
Smith is without a televised ranking title since his World Championship triumph in January 2023, despite steering England to World Cup of Darts glory alongside Humphries in June.
The St Helens star – a Premier League semi-finalist in May - was also a runner-up in September’s World Series of Darts Finals, and he has vowed to return to his brilliant best over the coming months.
“For the last five to six months I’ve been practising non-stop,” revealed Smith, one of three former Grand Slam champions in this year’s 32-player field.
“I’m in the process of getting a games room built so I’ll be practising even harder to get ready for the World Championship.
“I’ve also got a gym being built to try and get into shape. The schedule is relentless, but I am going to play as much as I can and try and get back to where I belong next year.”
You can read the exclusive interview with Michael in the official Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts programme.