“I’ve been paying for six months” – Michael Smith opens up after injury setback and Poland Darts Open fightback

Last weekend, the Poland Darts Open took place in Krakow. Michael Smith was called up at the last minute following Michael van Gerwen’s withdrawal and unexpectedly reached the quarter-finals.

After the tournament, there was a clear sense of satisfaction from Smith, who recorded wins over Joe Cullen and Jonny Clayton before eventually losing to Chris Dobey in the last eight. “I shouldn’t even be here — that’s what I keep asking myself. I should never have lost it in the first place,” he said in conversation with Tungsten Tales, with a smile that reflected both relief and disbelief.

Smith’s presence at the tournament was far from guaranteed. After a disappointing qualifying campaign, he appeared set to miss out. “I was rubbish in the qualifiers. I tried too hard just to get here and I needed to put things right.”

It was only at the very last moment that he was told he would be playing. “I was told on Wednesday that I might be in. Then Thursday morning, maybe again. I said, ‘By 12 o’clock I need to know — I’ve got things to organise.’ … Eventually I got the call Thursday night that I was in.”

The journey itself was chaotic. A missed flight, delays and barely any sleep made for far from ideal preparation. “The driver’s car broke down on the driveway — blocked everything. We were stuck for two and a half hours and I missed my flight. I got home at six in the morning, slept all day, and then travelled again. It’s been a pain, but the most important thing was coming here.”

Remarkably, at the start of the season Smith was not particularly keen on playing the Euro Tours. While the European Tour is a key pillar of the calendar for many players, Smith had considered taking a step back. “They weren’t, if I’m honest,” he said of their importance. “I could sit here and say all the right things on camera, but I spoke to my dad about it — and that’s different.”

The initial plan was limited. “The plan was to play the first six Euro Tours. If I didn’t get through the qualifiers, I wasn’t going to play any more this year.”

The reasoning was both physical and strategic. Smith has been dealing with ongoing foot problems, and travelling takes its toll. “Travelling has been hard — when I get off the plane, my feet are killing.”

At the same time, his focus remains firmly on the rankings. “The big plan is getting back into that top 10 and becoming a headache for someone else again.”

He also recognises the long-term opportunity ahead. “Next year’s a free ride for me — I’ve got nothing to defend.”

His mindset shifted once he began qualifying again. “I didn’t qualify for the first couple, then I qualified for three and four and it changed my mindset. Now I’ve won one, I’ve got to play more. I wanted to chill out and get things right, but I’ve been paying for the last six months. Now I’ve just got to keep going and keep fighting.”

Smith is currently ranked 31st in the world.

Anyone who follows Smith knows how central his family is to him. His father travels with him regularly, and that relationship shapes many of his decisions. “When I talk to my wife, I’ll sometimes just say things to please her. When I speak to my dad, we have a proper chat.”

Poland carries added significance, as it is one of the few tournaments his wider family attend. “My family only ever come to this tournament. They don’t travel to the World Series or Australia or anywhere else. It’s always Poland — come home, see nan, see the family.”

That brings additional pressure. “So the pressure is on me to win. If I get beat, I just want to go home — but they want to stay! So I put pressure on myself because of that.”

Just days before the event, there was more upheaval at home. His youngest son broke his arm in a fall. “My youngest broke his arm two days ago. The same scooter I fell off last year — he fell off it this week. So it’s been one of those times.”

Smith’s improved physical condition has not gone unnoticed. Over the past two and a half months, he has lost two stone.

Since receiving injections in his feet, his mobility has dramatically improved. “From July last year, I couldn’t walk properly for five months because of my ankles. I had injections in December and suddenly I could walk up and down stairs, move properly, practise again.”

There has been no secret formula. “I’ve done nothing special. The difference is that five months ago I was sat on the couch watching TV, drinking pop, not able to move. Now I’m just living a normal life again.”

His explanation is characteristically blunt. “There’s no secret — it’s just not being lazy. There’s no pain anymore, so I can get up and go.”

Smith is known as a player who feeds off the atmosphere, and he was largely positive about the Krakow crowd. “The venue’s great. The stage is wide and the crowd goes far back — you get the best of both worlds.”

He did, however, have one request. “The only thing is, when someone hits a treble 20, they should react more! I don’t always watch my opponent’s darts, so if they react big, I know something’s gone in.”

Overall, though, his message was clear. “It’s beautiful coming here. Great crowd. We need to keep coming back.”

What this week ultimately showed is that Michael Smith can thrive amid unpredictability. A last-minute call-up, travel chaos and family drama at home made for anything but smooth preparation. Yet he still delivered a run to the quarter-finals. “I wanted to chill out and get things right, but I’ve been paying for the last six months. Now I’ve just got to keep going and keep fighting.”

For a player intent on climbing back towards the top 10 and re-establishing himself as a threat on the biggest stages, Krakow may yet prove to be more than just an unexpected appearance. It might be the turning point.