“If I carry on playing like this I can go deep into the tournament”
ROSS SMITH admits he has got his heart set on getting a Premier League place.
The Dover thrower delivered a strong opening World Grand Prix win, dropping just one leg in the victory over Gian van Veen in Leicester.
Typical of Smith he was brutally candid in the post-match interviews and says he’s delighted to be in the elite of the sport.
He said: “If I’m honest, I’ve turned up here and I've not put any pressure on myself. I’ve just sort of relaxed and enjoyed it so yeah, hopefully, if I carry on playing like this I can go deep into the tournament.
“Look, if you can’t enjoy getting up there in front of 5,000, 10,000 people, whatever it is and playing in front of millions of people on TV and earning the money we earn through playing darts...I’ve driven a lorry, worked 10-12 hours a day minimum for 5-6 days a week and I’m telling you now it’s an absolute privilege to play this game.
“To where it’s got to now, I pinch myself. I count myself very lucky that I’m playing darts for a living, so if anyone’s moaning about it then just give up because I’ll happily take your place.”
Smith’s ultimate aim is to win a major and get his name in the frame for the Premier League.
He added: “I’m not going to lie, I want to be in the Premier League.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and since I was a little kid, watching it, so I'm not going to beat about the bush.
“I’ve said it previously, but I know that I'm going to have to do something special. I won a major and I wasn't even in it. But I know I've got it down to consistency as well.”
