“I won't get back on stage and not hit a 180 again, I promise you that.” Michael Smith says he’s got over the anxiety of returning to darts with big crowds. #WorldMatchplay #Darts 🎯 | @OfficialPDC 🔞| Please Gamble Responsibly
Smith responds to criticism after Searle victory: "I've been in the top 10 for five years, I don't listen to negativity"
PDCMonday, 19 July 2021 at 13:00
Michael Smith edged past Ryan Searle into the second round at the World Matchplay seeing off 'Heavy Metal' 10-7 on Night Two.
Smith spoke afterwards and was pleased by the way he grinded out the result as opposed to how he played.
"Performance wise no but I'm over the moon with how I handled the grinding out situation and the struggling part of it and I think I proved there four or five years ago I'd have lost that 7-3 but I'm really happy how I battled through that," said Smith.
Crowd return and dealing with criticism
He also discussed the crowd returning and also criticism over his form and ranking.
"That felt a lot louder and it's the same with the Civic for the Grand Slam because they're sat on top of you. It's unreal and it feels nice."
"The minute I listen to someone tell me something I'm gonna pack it in. I've got two kids at home and a wife, I'm here to earn as much as I can and win titles for myself and have the best life. I've been in the top 10 for five years, I don't listen to negativity."
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- Luke Littler played incredible darts yesterday in the semi-final and the final, heralding a new era of darts (along with some of the other brilliant young players who are emerging). And yet, at Luke's celebration feast, de Decker's ghost is Banquo to Littler's Macbeth, mournfully looking on.
UndartedWaters18-11-2024 - Am not outraged and as said above i dont like anyone from any country doing it to anyone from any country. Whoever is going for a double should have best of order.Mysstree17-11-2024
- Say what? It happens in other countries; Littler in January - this year (Holland), go and watch the evidence on YouTube. If it is going to be done to English players, then we are more than entitled to dish the same back when players face off in England. When it happened to Littler in Holland in January... where was your outrage then? ABE attitude.MrYnyslas197117-11-2024
- 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