Michael Smith admits it ‘would mean everything’ to retain the bet365 US Darts Masters title in New York this weekend.
World Champion Smith celebrated a landmark victory in the PDC’s first visit to Madison Square Garden last year, dispatching Michael van Gerwen 8-4 to triumph on a historic night at The Theater.
The St Helens star has enjoyed a whirlwind 12 months since then, following up his maiden televised ranking title at November’s Grand Slam of Darts by fulfilling his darting destiny at Alexandra Palace.
Smith returns to American soil as World Champion and world number one, and he is relishing his latest chance to take centre stage in the Big Apple.
“I had been to America three times before in Vegas, but to come to New York and Madison Square Garden last year was unreal,” reflected Smith, 4/1 with title sponsor bet365 to retain his crown.
“Winning here last year was up there with one of the biggest things I have ever won. It was massive. All of the players wanted it backstage and to get my name on that trophy, it was an unreal feeling.
“I saw the billboard with my face on in Times Square. It’s a weird feeling – it feels like you shouldn’t be up there.
“It is mad thinking about it, but it’s so good to be back and hopefully I can see my name on that title again, it would mean everything to me.”
Smith opens his challenge against Canadian qualifier Jim Long in Friday’s first round, before a potential quarter-final showdown against Van Gerwen awaits on Saturday evening.
The pair locked horns in last Thursday’s Premier League Play-Offs, with Van Gerwen defying a late fightback from Smith en route to claiming a record-breaking seventh Premier League success.
“I hadn’t been in the semi-finals since 2018, so there were positives to take,” continued Smith, reflecting on his defeat to the Dutchman at London’s O2.
“That semi-final against Michael was hard. My finishing was spot on, whenever I needed it, the finishes were going in, but my scoring just disappeared.
“If you look at the Premier League overall, I had beaten Michael as many times as he’d beaten me. It’s about what happens on the day. Hopefully the next couple of days will be my day!”
The 32-year-old arrives in New York as one of the sport’s form players, having won three of the last four nights of the regular Premier League season to record a second-place finish.
Smith also scooped titles at the Bahrain Darts Masters and German Darts Grand Prix earlier this year, but concedes it’s taken time to adapt to the scrutiny that comes with being the sport’s premier player.
“In the first few tournaments [after becoming World Champion] it did create pressure,” added Smith, the number one seed in New York this weekend.
“I kept telling myself I had to play like the World Champion and world number one.
“I think in Night Ten or Night 11 of the Premier League, I thought: ‘Just go back to enjoying yourself’ and now I’m just having fun with it.
“I might not be World Champion or world number one next year, but it could stay that way.
“If I put too much pressure on myself I’m not going to stay there. I have just got to keep focused, keep enjoying it and keep playing the darts that got me there in the first place.”
Smith is bidding to become the first player to ever retain the US Darts Masters title, as he sets his sights on a second World Series crown in the space of three events in 2023.
However, despite his status as world number one, the reigning champion is hoping to fly under the radar at Madison Square Garden.
“I still think Gezzy [Price] is probably the best player in the world at the minute,” insisted the World Champion.
“Michael [van Gerwen] is up there after winning the Premier League. He will be confident.
“I will let them fight it out and do their interviews saying: ‘I’m the best, I’m going to win this’.
“I will just sneak through the back door and hopefully take the title.”
The bet365 US Darts Masters will be broadcast live through DAZN in the US and Canada, as well as in various other worldwide territories and exclusively in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Other live global coverage will be broadcast through Viaplay in various territories including the Netherlands, as well as via PDCTV in all countries outside Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
PDCTV Subscription options include a £25 Summer Pass which includes live coverage of the remaining four global World Series of Darts events from June-August through PDCTV.
2023 bet365 US Darts Masters Draw Bracket
(1) Michael Smith v Jim Long
Michael van Gerwen v Jake Macmillan
(4) Rob Cross v Jason Brandon
Dimitri Van den Bergh v JT Davis
(2) Gerwyn Price v Jules van Dongen
Luke Humphries v Alex Spellman
(3) Peter Wright v Jeff Smith
Nathan Aspinall v Matt Campbell
Schedule of Play
Friday June 2 (1900 EST)
bet365 US Darts Masters First Round
Rob Cross v Jason Brandon
Dimitri Van den Bergh v JT Davis
Luke Humphries v Alex Spellman
Nathan Aspinall v Matt Campbell
Gerwyn Price v Jules van Dongen
Peter Wright v Jeff Smith
Michael Smith v Jim Long
Michael van Gerwen v Jake Macmillan