"I wasn’t meant to be here" - Ricky Evans crucifies his form away from big stage after dethroning Price in Grand Slam of Darts

Ricky Evans admitted that he should not even be in the Grand Slam of Darts after he won his opening group stage match 5-4 against Gerwyn Price.

After both players started with a hold, four consecutive breaks of throw followed. It was Evans, who won the bull, with the advantage. He found himself on 89 for the match before Price took out a stunning 167 to force a last-leg decider. However, the three-time champion could not keep up with 'Rapid' Evans who sailed away to victory.

"It was okay, yeah," Evans told Online Darts. "I scored well, missed a few doubles early on. I actually thought to myself during the game, “He’s not going to give you many more chances.” And every time he did, I thought, “Oh!” Then it got fun at the end and I just literally played for fun — for a laugh really. I can’t say the other word! It was a weird game because I actually felt so comfortable in practice, but I couldn’t hit a treble 20 unless I hit the first dart. I was switching a lot. But yeah, he loves it here as well."

All darts fans know what quality Evans possesses, with him hoping he can show it more in the future. "I hope so. I wouldn’t say it’s incredible because I’ve got so many more gears. I can hit 100 averages, I’ve hit 110s, but I can’t do it every time."

He went on to criticise his lack of consistency. "That’s the problem with me — I’ll pop one in March, one in January, one in September, but I can’t do three in a row. That’s my issue. But like I said last week, I’m in a good place. The cards are in my hands now in this group because no one expected me to get through — well, a few of my Northampton idiots did — but yeah, I’ve got a chance," he said."

The Englishman qualified through the Tour Card qualifier, producing a solid display in Wigan to reach the Grand Slam of Darts for the first time since 2013, and only the third time in his career. However, he feels he does not deserve to be in the event.

"Like I said to you last week, I wasn’t meant to be here," Evans admitted. "I still don’t think I should be, in my opinion, because I didn’t win a tournament or do anything major. I just wanted to win the qualifier. It’s a free shot really — ranking points, career money — so yeah, I’ll take it."

Nevertheless, he does not have a bad word to say on the qualifying process. "Well, I do now because I’m in it," he laughed. "But seriously, when they say you’ve got to qualify to get through, yeah, it’s nice. I was always a big fan of the BDO back in the day — watching players you never really saw unless it was on BBC, losing at Lakeside. That was my view of this tournament. And now I’m in it, so why not? This is the first time I’ve ever got through a qualifier."

Evans acknowledged that his Players Championship form was holding him back. "It’s consistency on the floor. I go to Wigan, Leicester, Hildesheim — and I can’t win the first round. Then I’m sat in the room while everyone’s still playing. I just can’t do it on the floor." This is completely different from when on the stage. "But get me on stage and I’m a different person. I don’t understand it — I used to struggle on stage, now it’s the opposite. I class myself as a stage player now. Still got more to give though. I wish the season was starting now — that’s how I feel. But yeah, November’s busy, so I’ll just keep it going," he said.

He also noted the criteria to qualify for European Tour events to be tricky, favouring other players. "It’s weird. A few years back I got to a couple of finals and was seeded for a whole year. But yeah, I don’t want to go full Willie O’Connor on you — it’s a job," Evans stated. "That’s all it is. It’s hard, but it’s not meant to be easy. When you get through, you think, 'Lovely.' But when you’re losing first round in qualifiers, you start thinking maybe Willie and the others are right. The big boys are there for a reason — they put bums on seats. I’ll worry about it when the next qualifiers come. Right now, I’m just going to enjoy the end of 2025."

By the sounds of it, Evans is not too worried about facing James Wade and Steffan Bellmont after his victory over the former world champion.

"Two good players — we’re all here for a reason. One’s a former champion, one’s quality. My mates said if I lost tonight, I’d probably be on first tomorrow against Belmont. Am I? Okay then — well, I’m not on first tomorrow, I’ll tell you that for free! (laughs) But seriously, tell me what time and I’ll be there, ready and practising. Listening to my terrible music, can’t wait for tomorrow’s game. Whatever happens — third in the group, fourth — I don’t care. I’ve beaten Gerwyn Price," he concluded.