"Not been able to sleep": Emotional Ricky Evans fighting back turmoil amid potential of missing PDC World Darts Championship

Ricky Evans is facing one of the most important weeks of his darts career. The 36-year-old Englishman is in danger of missing out on a World Championship ticket and is deeply concerned about his future at the highest level. In an interview with Online Darts, 'Rapid Ricky' discusses sleepless nights, a lack of confidence and the enjoyment he has lost from the sport in recent months. The usually cheerful crowd favourite reveals a very different side of himself.

Evans is known for his lightning-fast throw, distinctive walk-ons and exuberant personality. He is particularly one of the major attractions at the World Darts Championship in Alexandra Palace each year. Behind that cheerful exterior, however, is currently a player who is having a particularly difficult time. His Pro Tour results have been disappointing, and with only a few opportunities remaining to qualify for the World Championship, the pressure is continuing to build.

When asked whether this could be one of the biggest weeks of his career, Evans does not have to think for long.

“For my own sake, yes. Rankings-wise, probably not. I think I'm guaranteed a Tour Card, but yeah. Personally, I've been thinking about Ally Pally since around April. I'd say it's huge," said Evans to Online Darts.

The past few months have been difficult for Evans. Although his level has not drastically declined according to the interviewer, he has struggled to win matches. The numerous defeats in deciding legs have particularly taken their toll.

“Not being able to sleep, mate. It means so much to me. I got teary on a few of them.

“Yeah, I need to start enjoying it because I'm going to darts thinking it's a chore instead of a hobby and a job. I'm nervous just talking about it. Instead of letting the darts do the talking, I'm overthinking everything and not enjoying the game at the minute.

“It's 6-5s. Too many 6-5s is the problem. Instead of playing good darts, I'm hoping instead of knowing. That's the thing. It's just been frustrating.”

Evans is not trying to make excuses. He acknowledges that he has struggled with physical problems in the past, but emphasises that he was still able to win matches despite those difficulties.

“Don't get me wrong, I've had a few shockers this year. I've got no excuses. I'd like to post on social media. I'd like to tell everyone I've got problems, but it's a game of darts at the end of the day.

“I was playing well with these excuses the other year. Problems with my feet, hands, whatever, head. I could still win with these problems. Now it's not happening.

“I have to blame them. I have to go, 'I'm not playing very well. I'm not enjoying darts. People are getting better.'”

The development of his competitors is particularly concerning to him.

“I've said this to my girlfriend, my family, my manager. I'm not getting better. That's the thing. I need to get that extra step. I don't know if it's equipment, or if I should practise less because I'm practising a lot. I don't really know. I need to find that little kick at the bottom.”

Although the Players Championship Finals in Minehead and the Grand Slam of Darts are also at stake, Evans is primarily focused on one event: the World Darts Championship.

“I'm not worried about Minehead, I'll be honest. It's a great tournament. I love Minehead. I love the UK Open. Players Championships have never been very good for me. I think I've won four legs in the last three years.

“Ally Pally is obviously the pinnacle. It's the one where you want to be. It's the one everyone knows about, really, for the Christmas walk-ons, the whole 'I hate gravy' debate.”

Evans has developed a special connection with the Alexandra Palace crowd through his distinctive Christmas outfits and musical walk-ons. The possibility of missing out this year visibly moves him.

“Talking about it again, I'm so welled up about it. I have to be there. I know someone's going to have a Christmas song. I know someone's going to use it as a promo. The Shakin' Stevens. That's me. I'm jealous.”

Evans realises he may need an alternative route to reach the World Championship. He is considering the qualifying tournament and a strong performance at the Grand Slam of Darts.

“I actually said to someone the other day, one of my friends. I'm playing him in a minute, by the way. I'm probably going to miss out on Ally Pally this week, get through the qualifier. I don't know, but I'm getting through the Grand Slam.

“I'm going to get through the Grand Slam and somehow work my way through the back door. I overthink everything again. I'm not enjoying it.”

Instead of concentrating on his performances, Evans is constantly looking at the various rankings.

“Instead of going to these tournaments in Leicester, Hildesheim, Den Bosch, I'm looking at the rankings every day. Play darts, because that's what I'm good at.

“At the minute, I feel like everything's against me.”

Remarkably, Evans still has plenty of confidence in his ability on the big stage. It is the floor tournaments where he is currently struggling.

“You get me on stage, I'll batter him. Well, I'm not saying everyone. I'm not going to beat everyone on stage. I'm a different animal on stage, we'll say that.

“But I worry too much about getting to the stage instead of working on my floor game.”

According to Evans, the problem is that he is too focused on reaching the big stages when he should be improving his performances on the floor.

“I just need to get through that first-round hurdle. It's a problem for me. Getting a game on the floor against me must be a dream for some people.”

The Englishman is also watching players he considers to be at a similar level to himself win their first titles. He mentions Niels Zonneveld, Karel Sedlacek and Luke Woodhouse.

“These people are good dart players. I class myself as one of them kind of people. Nearly men. They've done it, though. Now I'm the one that's jealous of them.”

Evans also believes the standard on the Pro Tour is higher than ever.

“Again, it's the beauty of darts. Everyone's better. Back in the day when I first started, 2013, 2014, there were people in the room. You thought, 'He's horrible. I want him.' Now I'm that guy.

“At the minute, people want to draw me because they know he's struggling. I don't like that. I want to be the person that's... 'I battered him 6-1 there. Who's next?'”

The poor results are not confined to the darts arena. Evans admits that his struggles are also affecting those around him.

“It's horrible. Literally, I take it to heart. My family and friends, girlfriend, they're all going through the wringer at the minute because I'm not a happy person.”

He even reveals that he initially had no desire to attend the event in Northampton where the interview took place.

“I didn't want to be here today. Didn't want to be here. And it's on your doorstep as well. Because it's close.

“I'm only here because my friends are here. I brought my dad today. Just someone to talk to, just to have a little bit of fun. I am having fun tonight, actually. That's good.”

Personal events have also played a role. “I cried yesterday at the exhibition. I lost a good friend. I'll play my best mate tonight. It's just one of them. Darts means everything to me. I don't want to be working in that Shell garage anymore.”

Nevertheless, Evans refuses to give up his future as a professional darts player.

“I will fall in love with the game again. You're going to have to drag me off this tour, because I'm not going to lose my card this year. I might do next year if I don't have a good year. It won't be for the lack of trying. I know that.”

Evans now believes he may have found a possible explanation for his decline. He has made several changes to his game this season and suspects that those adjustments have worked against him.

“I need to go back to being fast. I think the speed of my darts. I've changed a few things this year. I've done things differently, which I think affected me.

“This year I've changed a few things. It's not worked. Maybe I need to go back to doing what I did when I was getting to semi-finals, finals, deep runs.”

He is also looking to make changes mentally. Evans admits that he is not nearly as confident by nature as his stage performances might suggest.

“I'm not a very confident person anyway. I don't believe in myself as a person, if that makes sense.

“Darts is the only thing I'm good at. I need to shut everything off. Stop listening to people telling me what to do. Not being horrible to them. Be me. If it worked, it worked.”

Above all, he wants to rediscover the feeling he used to have when arriving at tournaments.

“I just love being on stage. I need to get that floor game back again and enjoy it again. I need to walk into these Pro Tours, these leisure centres, and just smile. Walk like a peacock again.”

Despite all the doubts, Evans has not given up hope of a turnaround. He points out that he usually produces a strong result somewhere each season and believes he can still put together a good run. “I still believe I'm going to do something. I still believe I might have a little surge.

“I always have a run somewhere. I've had one semi-final on the Euro Tour, I think I did. I need a floor run.”

The changes announced by the PDC for 2027 have also given him renewed motivation. With more opportunities to qualify for major tournaments, Evans sees a chance to give his career another boost. “I'm hoping that. I'm guaranteeing a couple more majors now. The Europeans helps as well.

“If it had been next year's criteria, I would have been in. I didn't qualify for that many, but I did well when I qualified. It's brilliant.”

For now, however, uncertainty surrounding the World Championship remains. Evans believes it would be a huge blow if he failed to appear on darts' biggest stage for the first time in more than a decade. “I think 2014 was the last time I didn't qualify. Over a decade. It's going to hurt.

“The next time I do get there, we're going to have some fun. I've had people talk to me today, asking, 'Where's your Christmas outfit?' I've had a couple of lads saying, 'You're doing all right at the minute,' who obviously know nothing about darts. It means everything to me. I'm a very passionate guy.”

Nevertheless, Evans is determined to work harder if things do not go according to plan. “I always keep saying as well, if you're not in it, you're not good enough this year. Work harder. If it works, it works. If it doesn't, I'll be back next year and I'll be working harder, mate.”.