Adrian Lewis hints at retirement if turnaround isn't complete within two years: "I want one more World Championship"

Adrian Lewis eased past Daniel Larsson to begin his PDC World Darts Championship campaign for another year with the two-time World Champion continuing to delight the Ally Pally crowd

"First round is obviously difficult. I don't really know much about Daniel Larsson, all I know is watching YouTube and seeing Simon Whitlock hit three bulls against him and I think that's as far as it goes really," he said post match.

"I've been practicing really, what you see tonight is win lose or draw, I'm going bang, bang, bang get a rhythm going and that's it and keep to the rhythm."

He also spoke about playing with freedom and a smile and that if he can't do that, he will retire.

"I think this is how it's got to be otherwise I'll retire next year and I don't want that. I want to get up there and just throw.

"This is my 18th World Championship, it doesn't matter what age, it's about how long I've been here and the longevity of it. It's mind-boggling."

Playing in the first round is an unknown for 'Jackpot' with Raymond van Barneveld usurping him in the rankings which he lamented but gave the doyen of Dutch darts praise for.

"It's great to see him there but over the course of the year did he play better than me, no he didn't. But he did the right things at the right moments so fair play to him. He's been brilliant, Barney could retire for ten years and still be a quality player."

But he continued to hint at retirement with a two-year limit given to return to his best if he doesn't win it this year.

"I want one more, this is what I want. I reckon if I don't win it this year, I reckon two years."