May 23rd 2024.
Michael Smith is on a mission to conquer the Premier League and claim the coveted title. Last week, he had one simple task in Sheffield - win his quarter-final match and secure a spot in the finals. However, there was a twist - his opponent was none other than his good friend Nathan Aspinall, who was also vying for the same spot.
Despite their close bond, Michael knew that once they stepped onto the stage, their friendship would have to take a backseat. He shared with The Agency, "It was the first night in 16 weeks that we didn't practice together. Nathan chose to practice on his own board, but we still had our usual banter. I joked that he'll have the night off next week, and we were laughing until the walk-ons. But once you're on stage, the friendship is put aside."
In the end, Michael emerged victorious with a 6-3 win, securing his spot in the finals. It was an emotional win for him, and it set the stage for his second victory of the night. This win served as a reminder of his capabilities and gave him a much-needed confidence boost heading into the finals at the packed-out O2 Arena.
For Nathan, it surely stung a little more knowing that he inadvertently played a crucial role in Michael's impressive turnaround in the competition. Michael had been struggling with the hectic early-season schedule, but a much-needed break, which he took with Nathan in Las Vegas, proved to be the turning point for him. He shared, "We were traveling every Wednesday, playing on Thursdays, and also dealing with European and Pro Tour events. It was grueling. I needed to press that pause button and have a little break. Our trip to Las Vegas was just what I needed. When I came back, I made three finals out of the next six weeks. It was a game-changer for me in this tournament."
Last year, Michael was knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual champion Michael van Gerwen. This year, he faces another tough opponent in Luke Littler, who has been making waves in the darting world. While Michael boasts an impressive head-to-head record against Luke, he knows that it will be a tough battle tonight. He shared, "After coming off the World Championship and straight into playing in front of packed-out arenas and dealing with other events, we thought it would damage him [Luke]. But he's taken it in his stride and never looked back. He's been a great addition to the tournament."
For Michael, the stakes are high - if he loses in the semi-finals or the finals, he won't have the chance to come back next season. This drives him to give his best performance and claim the title. He said, "This is what we've all worked hard for in the past 16 weeks, and I hope to be at the end with the title in my hand."
If he wins tonight, it will be his first televised title since his victory at the 2023 World Championship. Reflecting on his journey since then, Michael admits that he made some mistakes, but he has found his fire again. He shared, "It annoyed me to be introduced as 'former world champion.' I prefer the title 'current world champion.' When I won it that year, I took everything for granted - I turned up when I wanted, did what I wanted, and went away when I wanted. But seeing Luke Humphries win the world championship this year gave me the kick up the backside I needed. I'm back on the board and working harder than ever before."
Aside from his renewed sense of determination, Michael is also playing for a bigger purpose. During filming for a documentary on his struggles away from the dartboard, he was reminded of who he's truly doing it for. He shared, "I watched the documentary the other night in Germany, and it was the first time I saw my son grab the confetti when I won the World Championship and throw it up in celebration. The enjoyment - I had never seen it before. When I watch the final back and I run to my kids, I can see my eldest son screaming 'Yes!' Every single time, that gets me. But seeing him with the confetti and the enjoyment on his face hit home. It takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice to do what I've been doing, but it's all worth it for a moment like that."
Tonight, Michael Smith will take on Luke Littler in his semi-final match. A win would not only bring him closer to the Premier League title but also serve as a triumph over his struggles and a reminder of who he's truly doing it for.
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