WADE OPENS UP ON 'LONESOME' WORLD SERIES RETURN

JAMES WADE has admitted feeling “quite lonesome” during his long-awaited return to the World Series circuit.

The Machine had been selected for the events in Copenhagen, America, New Zealand and Australia, after more than four years away from the global stage.

World No. 6 Wade has earned his place thanks to a superb run of form, reaching back-to-back finals at the UK Open and finishing runner-up at the World Matchplay.

The Aldershot ace has also claimed two Players Championship titles over the last two seasons.

Despite enjoying the opportunity, Wade admits travelling alone has been one downside.

He said: “It’s magical, right? I would say it is a damn sight better than Barnsley and Wigan. I am having a good time.

“I would say the only negative I am having is that I am doing the World Series on my own without a companion, so it is tricky and quite hard work.

“It is quite lonesome. After 25 years of doing it, it is quite sad that nobody is sharing the experience with me.

“I am still happy and grateful to be here.”

Wade admits his initial surprise at being selected soon gave way to the realisation that his recent results had earned him a place on the prestigious series.

He added: “Initially, I thought, ‘Wow, I have been considered for it.’

“Then afterwards, I thought, ‘I have just been in three [major] finals in the last 12 months, so I am probably quite eligible.’

“I am just enjoying the journey.”

The 10-time major winner is also planning to make the most of his trip Down Under by taking one of his closest childhood friends along for the ride.

He continued: “When I go to Australia, I am taking… I have two very best friends from when I was five and six.

“One of them, his wife won’t let him, and I didn’t ask him to be fair – Danny.

“The other one is Lee, who is my lifelong friend, the same as Danny.

“We are both going to go along and enjoy the journey together. I don’t think some of the dart players realise how lucky they are to be selected.

“Some of it is quite repetitive and a natural progression for the PDC to select them. For people like myself, it is quite a privileged position.

“I am looking forward to it. I am going to make sure I get a sea-fishing trip in there. I am going to eat loads of seafood.

“I am not going to get sunburnt because, obviously, it is winter. We are going to do some food-eating challenges on the plane.

“I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.”

Wade also outlined his ambitions for the remainder of the season as he looks to build on his recent resurgence and add more silverware to his collection.

He said: “I would like to win a TV tournament to be fair. I had three runner-ups in the last 12 months.

“I believe one of them should have probably gone my way. So yeah, we just keep plugging along and keep going.

“I know I still have the game in me and I am still good enough to win titles.”

Wade featured at the Nordic Masters earlier this month but fell 6-1 in the quarter-final to Luke Littler.

Image by Taylor Lanning.