Davis reveals illness nearly prevented him playing World Youth Championship: "I wasn't well, I was going to pull out of the competition that's how bad I felt"

Joe Davis will play in the World Youth Championship Final in Coventry in November against Bradley Brooks after coming through the Last 96.

But as he revealed soon after, he was ill on the day of the competition which nearly saw him not involved entirely.

He also spoke about what has changed for him in terms of his game during lockdown and how he has used it to his advantage.

"I know I'm playing well, I think that's the difference now. Before when I used to turn up to Development Tours, I used to throw an hour for a week. I never really practiced and you can probably tell with my results really," said Davis to Online Darts.

"I didn't really put much into it but obviously with this lockdown and things like that, I've been off work and it's given me the chance to progress and practice."

"I was happy to get there, I was playing well. Just get past the group stage because I've never been past the group stage, I've been a seed twice now and I've never been past it."

"I wasn't well, I was going to pull out of the competition that's how bad I felt. Everything I was eating and drinking wasn't agreeing with me, I relaxed because I didn't really expect to get that far especially with the preparation. I can't drink what I want, I can't eat what I want."

He defeated Jeffrey de Zwaan in the semi-final and he said that while he'd likely do the same in terms of just turning up if he was in his position, he doesn't think it's fair.

"I don't think it's fair at all but then on the other foot, if I was in that position I may think it was fair but the only thing that gets me is they're playing at that standard all the time and then they can just jump on the plane and come down to a lower standard playing in the Development Tour."

"I'm very fortunate to have the backing I do and the people around me but other people don't and they work really hard to play these events and qualify."