"Winning the US Darts Masters would be great too, but the North American Championship offers a lot more" - Adam Sevada underlines clear objective in New York

Adam Sevada is set to make his World Series of Darts return at the US Darts Masters. He is one of eight North American participants hoping to win big against eight of the best PDC players on the planet.

He has featured in the prior two events, winning only three legs in total in a brace of first round defeats. This has not fazed him with the excitement brewing for a return to New York. "Always excited to come here. I mean, it's Madison Square Garden. Who isn't, right? New York," he told Darts World.

To be once again playing in one of the most well-known venues in the world was a huge honour for the 40-year-old. "I mean, no matter what sport it is, I think it’s iconic," he added. "It's the mecca of arenas in the United States, and maybe even the world too. Besides that, of course, you've got Ally Pally, but Madison Square Garden is right up there."

He will kick off his tournament with a match against James Wade ahead of also competing in the North American Darts Championship where fellow countryman Alex Spellman will be his first test.

The interviewer noticed that Sevada was smiling a lot and in good spirits, and there was good reason to. "Coming back from the World Cup, I've never been so excited to play darts," he exclaimed. "To represent the USA and then come straight here a few days later—literally—has been amazing. But I always enjoy coming here. It's fun and it's a great time."

He was honoured to have that task of representing his country on the big stage while embracing the rivalry with Canada. "It was surreal to be able to represent the country. We have that cross-border rivalry with Canada and the USA, but there are only two players strictly representing the United States. To have that honour alongside Stowe Buntz was amazing."

He was also satisfied with his and his teammate, Stowe Buntz, performances in Frankfurt. "We didn't play too badly. We ran into Wales. Johnny Clayton couldn't miss, it seemed. I think we were sat on finishes around 55 and 60 at times, and who knows, that could have changed the game. That's just darts—it’s the way it goes. But I think we played decently."

While darts is not on the tip of the tongue from everyone in North America, the sport does seem to be rising. That for a start can be shown at the upcoming US Darts Masters where whey sold out Madison Square Gardens after moving to the bigger venue with a World Cup also ongoing in the United States.

While not many names have broken into the PDC, a few have had some success. However, it is difficult with the travel and expenses involved with a tricky option of moving abroad to prioritise your darting career.

Sevada is not fended off by this prospect, determined to one day get a Tour Card. "That's been my plan for a while, even before I started taking darts a little more seriously," he said. "Watching the guys on TV is something I always wanted to do. I went to Germany this past January for Q School and I think I missed out by just a few points. So my plan is to go back, give it another go, and see what happens from there."

The American would also do it properly, moving to the UK and settling into a new life overseas. "I've thought about it for a while. I think we've spoken about it before in previous interviews. I would probably come over for a few months, figure things out, and most likely make the move permanently," he confirmed.

"Financially it makes sense. Even flying from Arizona to New York is a five-hour flight. Then you're talking about a ten-hour flight to the UK or Germany every time. So yeah, moving would make sense."

Those prospects are still a long way off. He needs to win his Tour Card through Q-School, and that is not on the forefront of his mind yet. "No, it's one match at a time for me—one event at a time. I don't really look too far ahead. I mean, I do in some respects, but not when it comes to preparation. I just focus on whatever is in front of me at that moment."

The World Series of Darts is growing. Already events have been played in Bahrain and Copenhagen with the inaugural Saudi Darts Masters being played out. Later in the year, Oceania get a double header in Auckland and Wollongong.

Similar to that, Sevada would be delighted if North America would also have a double header. "Yeah, that would be great," he stated, also pitching another idea forward. " Myself and a few others have even talked about the World Cup moving around to different countries. It is a World Cup, after all, like football, where FIFA takes it to different places. So yes, I think it would be nice."

For the time being, the US Darts Masters takes precedent along with the North American Darts Championship being played in tangent with the World Series tournament. Sevada had his priorities outlined. "The North American Championship. It gets you into the Grand Slam and the World Championship," he explained.

"Winning the US Darts Masters would be great too, but the North American Championship offers a lot more. The Masters is more of an exhibition event, whereas the North American Championship can really change things for your career."

The possibility of going deep in both events is a tantalising yet exhausting thought. The latter is how Jeff Smith described it when reaching the final of the 2023 US Darts Masters.

"I haven't thought that far ahead. Earlier this year I played a couple of ADO events and I'd forgotten how much darts you play in a day. You can have multiple events in a single day, whereas on the CDC Tour you might play one match and then be done. If that situation comes up, I'll deal with it when the time comes. Go back, rest the body, and then get on with it later that evening."