Michael Smith has slipped down to 18th in the world rankings (Image: Getty)
has admitted he will probably ignore his doctor’s advice and play on the Pro Tour next week.
The 2023 world champion recently revealed that he is suffering with arthritis in his right hand. Smith has tumbled down the PDC’s Order of Merit since going into this year’s ranked second in the world.
His second-round defeat against Kevin Doets saw £485,000 worth of prize money disappear from his ranking, and he is now down in 18th. That has cost him a place in the coveted eight-player line-up, which is reserved for the world’s top-four players, and four others nominated by the PDC.
Being well outside the top four left Smith at the PDC’s mercy, and they instead opted for Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey as their wildcards.
In an interview with , Smith opened up on his injury problems, saying: “I broke both my wrists when I was 19. Now it’s catching up with me and I’m suffering with arthritis to my right hand. This isn’t sympathy or a cry for help. This is letting you all into it. I’ve never given up or stopped from any pain.”
And he doesn’t plan to stop, either. With the Players Championship season kicking off in Wigan on February 10, Smith admits he will likely be there regardless of the medical advice he has been given.
Michael Smith is suffering with arthritis in his throwing right hand (Image: Getty)
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“I’ll probably say no to him [the doctor] and end up playing anyway,” said the 34-year-old. “I just love to play darts.”
Smith featured in each of the last three Darts line-ups, and had featured in six of the last seven. Work will be required to get him back up the world rankings and amongst the world’s best, but he claims his latest PDC snub is all the fuel he needs to get back on the practice board.
“The biggest thing now is obviously being left out of the ,” the St Helens thrower continued. “That was the kick up the backside I needed again now. From winning the worlds and not doing what, for instance, Luke Humphries did and keep going with it.
“I took time away as I lost two of the finals previously and I just wanted to enjoy myself as a world champion. I think that’s been my hindrance now. Being left out of the , it’s time to work hard again and get back to where I belong.”