Jonny Clayton reveals in 2023 he ‘could have packed up’ PDC darts
08/10/2024 By Aaron Nijjar
Jonny Clayton has revealed that in 2023 he “could have packed up” professional darts after his struggles off the oche.
The Welshman has been vocal in the past about the sudden death of his father, John, stating before that he “is not the same person”.
Clayton has now rediscovered his love and passion for the game and is now in a position where he feels he can compete.
The former Grand Prix winner will be looking to win the tournament for the second time in Leicester this week.
Clayton defeated opponent Ritchie Edhouse 2-0 and averaged 93.71 in the process.
“Now listen, I am back enjoying, I’ve got a smile on my face and I don’t like losing. That’s a good thing for the ferret.
“For the last year I’ve not been bothered at all but there’s a bit of fire in the belly again. I’m hungry.
“Listen, I’m a darts player. I want to be the best in my sport. I have to be honest, the last year, it could have been packed up time.
“Very close to [quitting] be honest, I lost someone very special to my life, it hurt. Listen, [my love for darts] it’s back, I want to play well and do it for him.”
The 50-year-old is determined to make amends from a difficult year thus far with the big majors coming up.
“If I could swear it would be an honest answer, but no generally my season has not been great.
“But you know like I said there is fire in my belly again, I don’t like losing and it’s not nice losing all the time and when you get into that rut of losing it’s hard to get out of.
“I want to get back to that in-form Jonny Clayton and I’m going to work hard at it.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
