Former world champion Michael Smith heads to Alexandra Palace to defend a lot of classification money but insists his sole focus is winning the whole thing.
Smith has been inconsistent since winning his first world title in January 2023, admitting to spending a year celebrating the completion of his dream, with the St Helens man hitting nine quarters on his way to being crowned world champion.
In May, he then claimed his first rankings title in 11 months before winning the World Cup of Darts alongside Luke Humphries, giving glimpses of the exciting talent every darts fan knows he possesses.
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Watch how Wayne Mardle and Stuart Pike reacted to the thrilling match between Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith in the World Championship final which culminated in a Bully Boy nine-quarter shot
Due to the PDC's two-year Order of Merit system, Smith needs to perform well at the World Championships just to stay in the top 10, a feat many would consider pressured, especially as a former world No. 1.
However, Smith maintains that he has only one focus and that is to become a two-time world champion, and from there, the rankings will be sorted out himself.
But if he falls out of the top 64, you won't see “BullyBoy” at Q School.
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Michael Smith lifted the Sid Waddell Cup after beating Michael van Gerwen in the World Championship final.
“I'm really not (thinking about it), because the only thing that's stressing me out now is the questions about it. But I'm not bothered about it, because I'm not going to fall out of the top 16.” “Smith said.
“I might fall out of the top 10 if I don't pull my finger, but it means that next year, because I've taken almost a year now, I have nothing to defend.
“So, I probably have about £120,000 to defend next year, so I'll go back to work anyway. So next year, no hassle or pressure, I just want to play darts. And the other side of that, mate the management team can To worry about that, and my family can worry about that, I just want to play.
“As long as I don't get out of 64, because then I'll retire. If I get out of 64, I won't get into Q School, because I know I wasn't good enough, so I'll do it.” Just literally start something else.”
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Michael Smith had a brilliant final match to win the World Championship final against Michael van Gerwen
With so much at stake and a mixed year so far, Smith knows he can come to Alexandra Palace and turn a 50/50 year into a great year and with that in mind, his “minimum” goal is a run to the semi-finals.
“Every time I play, I want to win. So the main goal is to win the world championship. The minimum I want is to at least get to the semi-finals. Even then, in the semi-finals, I will lose £400,000 a game.” “My rating,” Smith added.
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Michael Smith hits a stunning 180 despite finding himself three legs down to Mike De Decker in the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts
“But the semi-final for me is the minimum, but I just come back to win. And as you shouldn't think about it, I would like to reach the third round of the World Championship, or the round of 16, as you want it to be.” World champion, that's my main goal, my only goal, is to win.
“It all comes to an end on December 15 when World Series month starts. If I can get my game ready for that, or win a World Series, then my year will be great again.
“So, this was the one event we worked for for 12 months, won it, and then it was all forgotten after that.
“Ally Bali, there's no better feeling, especially when you're standing on that stage too. You've spent 12 months of the year trying to get there, and you're finally there, and you don't want to screw it up anymore. That's the only pressure you feel on yourself, “Forget going out, it's been a lost year.”
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Speaking on Love The Darts, Sky Sports Darts editor Megan Wellens and Matthew Edgar discuss the pressure on Michael Smith's position in the rankings at the end of this year
When will the World Darts Championship be held?
The tournament kicks off at Alexandra Palace on Sunday, December 15, with three first-round matches and one second-round match on the opening evening.
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Michael Bridge and Polly James talk on Love The Darts about the players they still fear when playing against them
There will be live darts over each of the next eight days, including seven afternoon sessions, with the usual three-day break from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day before returning with a third round and a double session on 27 December.
The third and fourth rounds will be completed by December 30 before New Year's Eve, with the quarter-finals taking place over two rounds on New Year's Day before the semi-finals on January 2 and the final on Friday, January 3.
The full daily schedule for this year's tournament can be found here here.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live from 15 December to 3 January on the dedicated darts channel, Sky Sports. Stream darts and more of the best sports with NOW.
