WADE OUT TO PROVE HE'S NOT "MISERABLE"

JAMES WADE is out to prove that he’s not GRUMPY and also believes he will win another big title.

The World No.6 is aiming to go one better and take victory in the World Matchplay when it kicks off in just over a week in Blackpool.

Wade, 43, lost to Luke Littler in last year’s final and has upped his social media posts to show a more human side of his personality.

He revealed: “I just want to show people I’m not as miserable as I come across.

“Unfortunately some of us haven’t got good smile muscles. Some of us are happy but we don’t have to show our teeth all the time.

“It’s not because anyone else is doing it. I’ve chosen to do it. I’m trying to enjoy it a bit more, make it a bit more light-hearted.”

Wade has an astonishing record of longevity in the sport with 11 major titles and last won the Matchplay in 2007, he’s also reached the last two UK Open finals, losing both to Littler.

He added: “I still believe I’ll win another few TV titles before I’m finished.

“I haven’t been good enough, that’s the answer. In the World Matchplay I had three/four darts to go 15-14 up, didn’t get it. To miss those in a game that long is just poor.

“That game I believe I was good enough. You can’t miss doubles like that against anybody.

“I know what I can do. You need to get there and make your mindset the best way possible. For some it’s easier than others. Hopefully I’m in a good place when I get there.”

Wade reflected on playing in the US Masters in New York and admits he's trying to become ‘a bit of a better person’.

“I did more than I normally would [in New York]. Normally I would stay within a confined area.

"Because I’m unsure as a person and not that confident I normally stay at my hotel.

“I find a restaurant that’s close to the hotel. I’ll go there and I’ll go straight back to my room and then when it's time to go to darts I'll go to darts.

“Now I’m trying to push myself, trying to be a bit of a better person for my kids to see. I don’t want them to be the same as me so you try to do things differently.

“If I want to go to a restaurant I’ll make myself now walk to a restaurant that’s a mile down the road rather than go to the closest most convenient one.”

*James Wade is playing in the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix of Darts in Leicester on 28th September – 4th October.

Learn more at BOYLESports.com 18+ Bet Responsibly.

Words by Phil Lanning.

Images by TAYLOR LANNING.