Tonight in Cardiff, the 2024
Premier League Darts gets underway.
Michael Smith will meet seven-time overall winner Michael van Gerwen in the quarterfinals.
For Smith, it is already his seventh participation in the Premier League. "It's mad when you considered I'm only 33 and I'm one of the oldest ones here," laughed the former World Champion in conversation with the PDC. "Apart from the Worlds, it's the second biggest tournament and it's something special. I'm just looking forward to getting going now."
Smith became world champion for the first time in early 2023, but has not managed to win another major since, with his Ally Pally defence ending in the last 16. "Now I've got the hunger back. I want to get back to where I was. I want another world title, I want to be back at world number one," says Smith.
"After that World Championship title, maybe I put a little bit more pressure on myself, trying to achieve more and win more. But the minute I relax and chill out, I think you'll see what I was doing in 2023."
Smith will take on Michael van Gerwen in the quarterfinals on opening night.