"I’m starting to get angry again, which is the old Jonny Clayton" - Motivation returning for 'The Ferret'

Jonny Clayton is one of six former tournament winners in action this week at the 2024 World Grand Prix in Leicester. 'The Ferret' managed to win the double-in double-out tournament in 2021.

It was the year Clayton won no fewer than four majors to his name. At the World Grand Prix at the time, the Welshman won over Callan Rydz (2-0), Jose de Sousa (3-1), Krzysztof Ratajski (3-2), Danny Noppert (4-1) and Gerwyn Price (5-1).

Since the 2023 World Matchplay, where Clayton was in the final, 'The Ferret' has not reached the quarterfinal stage at any TV ranking tournament. However, the Welsh darter showed improvement in form this year, winning a Players Championship tournament and a final spot on the Euro Tour. Clayton is also a huge fan of the format at the World Grand Prix. “The double-in double-out format – what a fantastic game,” previews Clayton to the PDC. “This is a format that we don’t play very often, and it’s a tournament that absolutely shows your skill."

It is Clayton's seventh time competing in the World Grand Prix. Three times, including last year, he was eliminated in the first round. The year Clayton won the event was the only time he managed to get past the last sixteen.

“It is great to be back. I’ve won this tournament before, so hopefully I can do it again, because I need to get my career going back in the right direction," he says optimistically. “I know I can do it; I have proven that I can do it, but it’s the first big event of the autumn, and we will all be going out to make a statement. Now when I lose a game, I’m starting to get angry again, which is the old Jonny Clayton, and that’s what I need to be!”