"It is so good to be back and hopefully I can see my name on that title again, it would mean everything to me." 🏆 World Champion Michael Smith is bidding to become the first player to retain the US Darts Masters title in New York this weekend! 🇺🇸👇
"It feels like you shouldn't be up there": Michael Smith shocked by Times Square billboard ahead of US Darts Masters
PDCFriday, 02 June 2023 at 23:03
It would mean a lot to Michael Smith if he manages to prolong his title at the US Darts Masters in New York. Last year, he captured the title at Madison Square Garden by beating Michael van Gerwen in the final.
It proved to be the prelude to a successful second half of the season, with televised titles at the Grand Slam of Darts and the PDC World Darts Championship later in the season. To top it all off, 'Bullyboy' also became the new world number one.
This status makes him one of the biggest crowd-pleasers at the US Darts Masters and Smith himself found that out while strolling through New York.
"I had been to America three times before in Vegas, but to come to New York and Madison Square Garden last year was unreal,” reflected Smith.
“Winning here last year was up there with one of the biggest things I have ever won. It was massive. All of the players wanted it backstage and to get my name on that trophy, it was an unreal feeling.
“I saw the billboard with my face on in Times Square. It’s a weird feeling – it feels like you shouldn’t be up there.
“It is mad thinking about it, but it’s so good to be back and hopefully I can see my name on that title again, it would mean everything to me.”
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He does concede though that time as the premier player does take some getting used to.
“In the first few tournaments [after becoming World Champion] it did create pressure,” added Smith, the number one seed in New York this weekend.
“I kept telling myself I had to play like the World Champion and world number one.
“I think in Night Ten or Night 11 of the Premier League, I thought: ‘Just go back to enjoying yourself’ and now I’m just having fun with it.
“I might not be World Champion or world number one next year, but it could stay that way."
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