Ross Smith on fired up new stage persona: "I don't want to come across as too boring"

In powering to a 3-1 victory over Darius Labanauskas, European Champion Ross Smith put in one of the best performances seen so far at the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship.

After averaging over a ton and firing in ten 180s, Smith was understandably delighted with his performance. "I'm really happy with the performance," he said after securing a third-round tie with Dirk van Duijvenbode. "It's alright doing it for one game but it's about that consistency. I've now got to go and do that against Dirk and hopefully get the win."

Now a major winner after picking up the European Championship, Smith has arguably been the most improved player on tour this year. "At the start of the year, I just wanted to break into the top 32 for the first time," he says. "To come here and be called out as European Champion is amazing but I'd also like to be called World Champion."

Alongside the newfound success, Smith has also become more fired up on stage. "I'm trying to have a bit more fun. I don't want to come across as too boring," he says about his new on-stage persona. "I just want to have fun up there and actually express myself a bit more, I've loved it."