"I've had losses while being over in England and there's nothing I can do": Heta feels for Clayton amid withdrawal due to personal circumstances

Australia's number one was at his brilliant best in front of his home crowd at the New South Wales Darts Masters on Friday, romping to a 6-0 win over Joe Comito with a 106 average in his opening-round tie.

"I've known Joe for years, ever since I first started playing darts. He was once 18-0 up on me and he used to let me know about it but once I got that first win, I've not lost to him since," Heta laughed in a post-match interview with Online Darts. "I just went up there very comfortable, with the crowd on my side and had fun. I just loved it."

Read also

Red-hot Heta averages 106 in Comito win as Cross continues Hamilton form with five on the spin to win

Although having always been earmarked for the event, Heta was initially down to represent the Oceanic regions as one of the local players. Following the withdrawal of Jonny Clayton due to family reasons however, the Aussie ace was bumped up to represent the PDC.

"With Jonny obviously it's terrible news," says Heta, who can sympathise with Clayton having lived the last few years in England, half the world away from his family. "I've had losses myself throughout being over in England and there's nothing I can do on that side of the world."

"I'll probably know more than anybody what Johnny was going through. But yeah, for me, I've stepped up, I've I've beaten the local so to say," he concludes. "At the end of the day I'm there to do a job and I've got to be professional about it."

Read also

Tournament centre New South Wales Darts Masters 2023: Schedule, results, TV guide and prize money breakdown