CLAYTON REVEALS HE NEARLY WALKED AWAY FROM THE SPORT
25/07/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
JONNY CLAYTON revealed he nearly walked away from the sport after reaching the semi-final of the World Matchplay.
‘The Ferret’ dispatched Stephen Bunting 16-7 on Thursday to reach his FOURTH major semi-final this year.
World No. 5 Clayton averaged 98.13 and had a 50 percent success rate on the outer ring to cap off a brilliant performance at the Winter Gardens.
But Clayton admitted he had previously lost love for darts after a tough couple of years on and off the oche.
He said: “I’ve changed my mind! I’ve got the hunger back. I don’t know what it is. I felt a bit down in darts, but I want to be one of the best.
“It hurts that I’ve dropped from world number five to nine with the rankings, but I’m climbing back up slowly. I want to be with the elite.
“When you’re there, people respect you more than what they do when you are further down the rankings.
“If you’re not playing well, no matter your ranking, people pick up on it.
“But if you’re playing well, it’s a step in the right direction. I had to do a job against Stephen, and I did.
“I don’t think I have hit top gear here yet. But I am back on the practice board and that is something I have not done for probably a year and a half.
“We all know two years ago with the family my dad passing I just did not want to play.
“I have a smile back on my face now and I have two kids who want me to do well.”
Clayton has been in magnificent form in 2025 and picked up a Euro Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship in May.
The 50-year-old also scooped up the Players Championship 14 in April.
Four-times major winner Clayton will face James Wade in the last four at Blackpool.
The Welshman heaped praise on his opponent prior to their clash but says he already has an eye on lifting the Phil Taylor trophy.
He added: “100 percent. Look at his records. Look what that guy has produced, probably the third-best darts player on earth.
“You can’t take that away from him. He’s done everything except win the World Championship.
“He’s playing really well. He’s got all the experience. I’ve got some, but nothing compared to James Wade.
“It’s a big tournament. I need a few more trophies. The more, the merrier. It’d be amazing if it was my name as a Welshman on that trophy.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
