PAUL NICHOLSON has set his sights on breaking into the world's top ten, following his totesport.com Players Championship success.
The 30-year-old claimed his first major title at the Circus Tavern on Sunday, following up his semi-final defeat of World Champion Phil Taylor with a 13-11 win over Mervyn King in the final.
The success earned Nicholson a £60,000 pay-day, jumping him not only into the world's top 32 for the first time but as far as 16th in the PDC Order of Merit, following less than two years on the PDC circuit.
However, the former DartPlayers Australia number one is determined to add further titles to his roll of honour and continue his rise up the rankings.
"It won't be a one-off," said Nicholson. "I'll be working harder than ever, because that feeling of winning is something I want to get used to.
"My goal for this year is to reach the World Matchplay because I've never played there before.
"The cut-off for the World Matchplay isn't until June or July, so I can't afford to sit on my hands and think it's just going to happen because I'm now 16th.
"Just going into the top 16 is a great thing, but I've got to consolidate that.
"I wanted to get into the top 24, making little jumps of eight places because I went 40 to 32 and then was looking at 32 to 24 - now I'm 16th in the world so the next aim has to be the top ten!"
Nicholson has made rapid strides since coming to prominence in 2008, and achieved a lifetime ambition by claiming his first televised title in Purfleet.
"I've worked really, really hard for this," he said. "It's been nearly 30 years in the making for me, since I was three years old watching Jocky Wilson on TV.
"I thought 'one that that could be me', and to be Players Champion this year means so much to me, I'm so happy."
Nicholson knocked out three World Champions - Dennis Priestley, Steve Beaton and Phil Taylor during the event - as well as Adrian Lewis - but admits the victory over Phil Taylor was the highlight of his career.
"I can't even put it into words," he said. "Not a lot of people can actually say that they've beaten Phil on TV.
"I don't think Phil played his best game, but you've got to be in the right place at the right time. I stuck in there, I had a chance and I took it."
He also hit a 170 finish during the win over Taylor, the highest in the event, and added: "That was a very special moment, and one I'll carry with me throughout the rest of my life."
Nicholson also showed great composure to gather himself after the semi-final win and defeat King 13-11 in a tight final.
"It wasn't easy at the start of the final," he said. "I was scrapping a bit and had a couple of really good finishes which gave me a bit of a spur.
"When it was ten-all, I was in the game and it was best of five. I'm so glad I got over the line, because I think id I'd lost that match from ten-all I would have crucified myself."
Nicholson moved to Melbourne five years ago, having been born and raised in Newcastle, and paid tribute to the work done by DartPlayers Australia in setting up the Australian Grand Prix circuit of events from which he emerged two years ago.
"The DPA gave me a home and the cushion I needed to improve my game and when I came back over here for the Grand Slam and World Championship I found myself, and found the dart player that I can be," he added.
"I think it culminated into what I can do at the weekend, and I'm proud to represent Australia. I would never let the DPA down.
"As far as I'm concerned, I've got Northumbrian blood but they nurtured me and made me the player I am and I'm going to stay true to them."
Throughout his on-stage career, Nicholson has enjoyed a mixed reaction from the crowd, creating a 'bad-boy' image by walking on in sunglasses, but is relishing his chance in the spotlight.
"I get a bit of banter from the crowd," said Nicholson. "I was getting booed at the start of the week in Purfleet but by the end of the final I was getting more cheers.
"That's great to see, because I like to be the guy that everybody loves to hate, and if my image is going to get people to watch more darts, then all the better."
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