Smith glad to prove doubters wrong sealing Grand Slam of Darts for first PDC major title: "It's time to be greedy, now it's my time"
PDCMonday, 21 November 2022 at 09:00
Michael Smith finally shed the previous image of being a nearly man with eight previous major finals being losses for 'Bully Boy' after sealing the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton after a dominant 16-5 win and he was lost for words post match as always a player to give a runners-up interview finally achieves darting destiny.
"I don't know how to feel, I'm used to the emotions of losing but I'm sure it'll hit me on the drive home and I'll probably scream out the window when no-one's looking. I feel like I've arrived now with my first title under my belt, no-one can say it anymore, Michael Smith's never won a title. It's time to step up again," he said post match.
It was all part of his main goal this year which was to clear the board in terms of titles won and now the aim is to win more. "I wanted a mini Slam this year which is a ProTour, Euro Tour and World Series and I cap it off with the Grand Slam, a TV major so I've got my Slam this year. Now get another TV title, that's the aim. I've won everything the PDC has to offer now, now it's time to be greedy and get more and that's what I want."
Especially being in the top 10 for so long without winning a major, he believes he could emulate the success of previous first time winners in Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price in kicking on now.
"It's hard when you're the only person in the top ten not to win a title and I've been there for six years. It does get a pain in the a**e. You keep trying to say you will win one then you get beat in one and another. I don't have to tell myself I'm going to win one.
"Look what this tournament did for Price, he won his first one and he's a World Champion now. Van Gerwen with the World Grand Prix, I was never going to start with the Grand Prix as I can't get past the first round. Now it's my time."
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- I dont like individuals or crowds trying to put any player off when they are trying to check out, how anyone can think its okay for the crowd to whistle or shout as someone is throwing for a double is beyond me but it does seem to have become part and parcel of the modern game. I no longer play now, darts is as good as dead at a local level round my way but when i did play many years ago, no matter how intense the rivalry you never shouted out or whistled when an opponent from the other team was throwing for a double.Mysstree17-11-2024
- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- It happens. Remember, anyone who has watched German and Dutch players in matches - their respective countries will have seen/heard just as bad jeering (if not worse). Taylor and MVG are two prime examples of professionals who are able to cope with the crowds mentally and not take it personally. This is not just an English crowd problem, FFS.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- Was watching an old World Masters final the other day between Eric Bristow and John Lowe, the crowd respect for both players on throw was first class, not a sound. You can imagine now the idiots who were whistling on De Deckers throw proudly boasting about it on social media. I blame the PDC to a certain extent though doubt they really care as they win regardless of which player wins or loses.Mysstree16-11-2024