“I think most women realise they probably don’t have much chance of beating her” – Gemma Hayter on why Beau Greaves is so hard to beat

Gemma Hayter’s darts year is running at full throttle. Barely recovered from a busy weekend on the Women’s Series, the next challenge is already looming with the Challenge Tour, while MODUS and the WDF calendar also fill her schedule. For Hayter, it’s clear: standing still is not an option.

“It’s full-on at the minute,” she says matter-of-factly. “I’m at MODUS next week as well, so yeah—lots going on.” While some players carefully ration their calendar, Hayter deliberately opts for volume. Her plan for 2026 was clear from the start: play as many matches as possible, across as many circuits as possible.

“I think I just want to support different tours and play as much as I can,” she explains. “Obviously, I’m doing a bit of WDF now and looking into the Challenge Tour—I’m going to give that a go. I just want to improve, and I think the more you play, the more that’ll happen—hopefully."

That approach suits a player who has visibly progressed in recent years. Since returning to the competitive circuit, Hayter has steadily raised her level, helped by experience on various stages.

If there’s one platform Hayter says has played a key role in her development, it’s the MODUS Super Series. “I think MODUS has been huge for me,” she says. “Getting that experience—playing in front of a live crowd on a Saturday night and with TV cameras—that’s been massive.”

The PDC Women’s Series also remains an important benchmark for Hayter. The circuit has grown enormously in recent years, both in numbers and standard. “I love the Women’s Series, and I think that’s where the best female players are."

That rise is more than just a feeling. Recent events increasingly feature quarterfinals and semifinals with averages above 90. The bar is higher than ever. “The numbers are going up, the entries are going up, and I do think the standard is improving.”

Another development Hayter notes is the growing international spread within the women’s field. “For a while, it was mainly Rhiannon Sullivan and Lorraine Hyde,” she explains. “But now you’ve got players like Louise Patterson coming through, and Rachel Kingdon and Leanne Topper. So yeah, it’s growing—it’s getting there."

The past year also brought Hayter something she had barely dared to dream of: appearances on the biggest stages in darts. With participation in the Women’s World Matchplay and her debut at the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, she took major steps in her career.

“It’s something I didn’t think I’d do,” she admits. “The Matchplay was kind of what I was aiming for, and then when the Worlds became a possibility, it was just something I never imagined—especially doing it so quickly.”

Her outing at Ally Pally wasn’t flawless, but it delivered valuable lessons. “I was a bit disappointed after the first set,” she reflects. “I only averaged about 67, and I knew that was poor.” Yet she gradually found her rhythm. “I got a leg, which I was pleased with, and then I settled in more as the match went on, which helped.”

It typifies her development: critical, but realistic. And always focused on improvement. A taste of the big stage leaves her wanting more. Hayter knows she hasn’t hit her ceiling yet. “I’ve only hit two 80-plus averages,” she says. “One against Fallon Sherrock at the Matchplay, and one against Josh. I know I can do better than that, so that’s the aim."

Alongside her PDC activities, Hayter has also deliberately chosen to play more WDF this year. “I just want to support all the women’s tours,” she explains. “I always talk about supporting them, and WDF was one I hadn’t done much before.”

That choice has delivered immediate results. Thanks to victory on the Isle of Man, she has already qualified for the WDF World Darts Championship at Lakeside. “I’ve already qualified for Lakeside,” she says. “So that’s secured.”

Participation in the World Masters in Las Vegas, one of the biggest WDF tournaments of the year, is also beckoning. “It’s a big competition—probably the second biggest in the WDF—so I’m just waiting for more details before booking it.”

For many players, Lakeside remains a dream stage – and that goes for Hayter too. “It’s so iconic,” she says. “It’s the only World Championship for women and girls, so that’s a huge draw.” The pull of a world title remains enormous. “Who doesn’t want to be a world champion? I’d love to do it, so yeah—it still has that prestige.”

With a Worlds ticket secured, Hayter could face an interesting choice later in the year: Lakeside or Alexandra Palace again. “I’ve got no idea, to be honest,” she laughs. “At the minute, it’s just Lakeside. If the choice comes, I’ll make one—but right now, I’ve got no preference. I just wanted to make sure I was in one of them.”

For now, the focus is on the here and now – and on keeping the results coming. In the short term, those results could be affected by physical issues. During the last Women’s Series her shoulder flared up again. “I felt a bit of a niggle in my shoulder come back,” she says. “So it’s about managing that and seeing how I throw.”

Her expectations for the Challenge Tour are therefore deliberately modest. “Hopefully, I’ll get a couple of wins—but if not, then it is what it is.”

No discussion about women’s darts omits the name of Beau Greaves. The young Englishwoman has dominated the Women’s Series for some time and is now impressing on the Players Championship too. “I think she’s more than capable [of winning a Players Championship],” says Hayter. “She’s so consistent and regularly hitting high averages.”

Success also brings extra pressure. “She’s a bigger target—everyone wants to beat her.” Strikingly, Hayter senses a difference in how opponents approach Greaves across circuits. “On the men’s side, players will fancy their chances more,” she explains. “I think most women realise they probably don’t have much chance of beating her.”

That makes the dynamic completely different – and underscores Greaves’ dominance within the women’s field. According to Hayter, Greaves’ impact on the Women’s Series cuts both ways. “Some people say there’s no point entering because Beau will win them all,” she says. “And she often does.” At the same time, Greaves also brings attention and audiences. “She also brings attention and new audiences to the women’s game, which is really important.”