MICHAEL SMITH admits he was “crying in bed” just days before securing a crucial return to the big TV stage in the Grand Slam.
The ex-world champ won through the last chance qualifiers on Friday to reach the major title event in Wolverhampton which starts next Saturday (Nov 8).
Smith, 35, has endured a nightmare year of woes. He revealed in late January that he was suffering from arthritis and battling wrist, shoulder and foot injuries.
‘Bully Boy’ wasn’t picked for the Premier League, missed the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.
But it’s a crucial return to Wolverhampton for the Slam, the scene of his first big title on the way to being world champion in 2023.
He said: “You don’t understand the relief I felt today playing these matches.
“From three weeks ago crying in bed because I can’t walk to then winning the qualifiers today felt unreal.
“I don’t show what I’ve been doing in the practice room but some of my game come out to play. And my emotions certainly did that’s why I was told off lol.”
Smith has also suffered FOURTEEN first-round exits on the ProTour this season and is on course to finish the year without a title for the first time since 2019.
But Smith says he still has plenty of fight left and hit back at those writing him off.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
He told Darts Corner: “I didn’t have the greatest results but if you saw my games I had a couple of 96 averages and a 101 average.
“Even one of the matches I lost with a 96 I had a first-nine average of 124.
“So, it’s just the winning bit now that is doing my head in.
“For me now it is about getting to the World Championship.
“All I have to do is win three or four games and then I am back in the top 10.
“For me it’s just get there, get myself back on TV, get back playing well — because I know I will do it.
“You have some ex-pros saying I’m gone, but they’ve tried it and quit and become commentators.
“I am only 35, so I’ve got plenty of time to fight back.”
Two-time major winner Smith revealed he’s been playing through pain all year – battling wrist, shoulder and foot injuries.
He added: “I’ve always had it with my wrists, but I think since I won the Worlds my body has said, ‘You’ve done it now — just give up fighting the pain in your hand.’
“Then I had a few drinks on Christmas Day and fell off my kid’s scooter, and I did my shoulder in.
“I just thought I had a grade two on my AC joint. I found out I have severe osteoarthritis in my shoulder as well.
“So, I have my right shoulder, right wrist and my left foot.
“It’s not felt the greatest having steroid injections every three months and living off painkillers every day.
“Now that I’m getting the hunger back for this, it’s still sore — but I’m just putting it to the back of my mind like I once did before the Worlds.
“But it is not the greatest thing to have.”
SNAP UP THESE TOP DARTS TRAVEL DEALS
NOTHING beats a trip to the darts.
The atmosphere is electric, the fancy dress is off the scale… and, of course, world-class darts.
We have some unbeatable offers to the best party in town.
*If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.
