"It could have been packing up time" - Jonny Clayton admits difficult year made him debate retirement before regaining his love for the sport

Jonny Clayton has made an excellent start to his 2024 World Grand Prix. 'The Ferret,' who has already managed to win the tournament once before, back in 2021, convincingly qualified for the second round after a 2-0 victory against Ritchie Edhouse. A duel with Ross Smith now awaits in the next round.

"I started off like a train to be honest, and I kept him under pressure. So that's the name of this game, you get off on a double anf you know the other players straight under pressure so yeah, I think I done my job tonight and done it pretty well. Smile on my face," Clayton beamed in his post-match press conference afterwards.

The 50-year-old Welshman reached the final of the World Matchplay in 2023 but struggled in the months that followed after the death of his father. Now somewhat reinvigorated though, Clayton is ready to get back to challenging for the biggest titles in the sport once again.

"I enjoyed it up there tonight. My darts are going good, so hopefully, they can keep going well for the rest of the week," Clayton assesses of his chances. "For the last year I've not been bothered at all, but there's a bit of fire in the belly again, I'm hungry. I'm a dart player so I want to be the best in my sport. But you know, I have to be honest, in the last year it could have been packing up time. But listen, I'm back enjoying it, I got a smile on my face and I don't like losing. So that's a good thing for 'The Ferret."

As mentioned, Clayton will now take on Ross Smith in the second round, who impressed greatly against Gian van Veen. Just last year, Smith was also too strong for Clayton in the opening round of the World Grand Prix, sending 'The Ferret' home 2-0.