SHERROCK TARGETS WOMEN’S WORLD MATCHPLAY CROWN AHEAD OF HIATUS

FALLON SHERROCK is eyeing a fairytale finish at the Winter Gardens as she prepares to take a break from darts next year.   

‘The Queen of the Palace’ won the Women’s World Matchplay in 2022 by beating Katie Sheldon, Lorrain Winstanley, then Aileen de Graaf in the final.   

Former Grand Slam quarter-finalist Sherrock made it to the final once again in 2024 before falling 6-3 to two-time champion Beau Greaves.  

Sherrock announced earlier in the year she will be taking an extended break from the sport after the 2026 World Darts Championship in order to look after her health.   

Milton Keynes thrower Sherrock is hoping to make one last statement on the Blackpool stage before taking time off from the oche.  

She said: “It would be really good to go out with a win this year especially if I do have to take a break next year.   

“I have managed to gain a little bit back for next year so I should play a little bit more than what I thought but I think a couple of months is what I will need next year.  

“I really just want to go out on a win this year and go out on a high, making all the majors.  

“If I can win it will rank really high because it will mean not only have I won a major once but I have actually done it again.  

“Because what I am trying to do is go out on a high this year, it would be straight up there because I would have achieved what I wanted to do.  

“I am trying to not get emotional about it but yeah that is what I want to do.”  

Sherrock faces a tough clash with Gemma Hayter in the first round of the major next weekend.  

The 31-year-old can potentially face big rival Greaves in the final yet again.   

20-times Women’s Series winner Sherrock believes the standard of women’s darts has risen over the last couple of years and admits Greaves is now setting the standard every women’s darts player wants to reach.  

She added: “We are still making history each time we play in it.   

“I have Gemma Hayter first round and I think it is going to be a really tough game because Gemma is a really good player.   

“I think it is going to be a really eventful game for everyone and I am looking forward to a really good game.  

“I feel like the competition in the women’s game has grown a lot.   

“You can see all the different players coming through now and this year is a lot stronger than what it has been in the last couple of years because people are more determined now and they want to play in the Matchplay, that is what they aspire to do.  

“From that, the quality of women’s darts is just increasing each year.  

“Me and Beau could potentially meet in the final and I am really excited if I could get to the final this year and play one of the best women’s players in the world, I aspire to play the best that there is.  

“Beau’s standard is just incredible when she gets going and I feel like if she could get more opportunities under her belt, you are going to see a really good player over the next few years just dominate.  

“I would be excited to play in that final but we have got to take first round first and see how it goes!”  

Image by Taylor Lanning.