DARTS ACE VOICES CONCERN FOR SMITH AFTER TAKING A BREAK

VINCENT VAN DER VOORT admits Michael Smith “stepping away” from darts might be the “better option” for his career at present. 

Two-times major winner Smith revealed he’s taking a temporary hiatus to undergo laser eye surgery and recover from a string of injuries he’s been battling 

‘Bully Boy’ has arthritis in his throwing hand, problems with his foot and ankle as well as an ongoing shoulder problem. 

St Helens thrower Smith has since tumbled to world No. 21 and missed out on World Matchplay qualification in Blackpool for the first time in 12 years. 

Former pro Van der Voort believes Smith has made the right call by taking a break from the sport. 

He said: “He’s realised there’s no point in just pushing on at this pace. He needs to rebuild, rest, train, and find his form again.  

“That only comes back if you break out of that downward spiral. 

“Something has to give. This might actually be a very smart decision.  

“You can keep chasing the Grand Prix, but if things aren’t going well, you could just crash out in the first round. Sometimes, stepping away is the better option.” 

Van der Voort suggested that changes to Smith’s equipment might be contributing to his slump. 

He added: “He changed his darts, his setup. Maybe it’s that—he just doesn’t seem to throw as smoothly anymore. He might need to look there.  

“He’s never really hit that level again since winning the World Championship. 

“You always fear he might go the same way as Adrian Lewis. That risk is real. Darts waits for no one—you always have to perform, and that pressure never goes away. 

“Smith is such a huge talent, so you’d expect him to bounce back. But I said the same about Adrian. 

“You’d think he’ll regroup. He’s likely taking the summer off—until the end of August—and then he’ll try to go again.  

“But it’s all happened very fast. He played everything up to the Matchplay, then dropped out of everything.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.