February 2nd 2024.
In this year's Premier League, Michael Smith has been named the first weekly winner. He had an impressive start to the tournament, defeating Luke Littler on his way to victory. Smith believes that Littler's rising fame is actually helping him improve his own game.
The Bully Boy kicked off his campaign perfectly, securing wins against Michael van Gerwen, Littler, and Gerwyn Price in the final to claim the first weekly bonus and take the top spot in the rankings. Last year, Smith entered the Premier League as the reigning world champion and world number one, but this time around, he doesn't hold either title, with Luke Humphries now claiming both. However, it is Littler who is currently in the spotlight, as the 17-year-old has become a global sensation with his impressive performances over the last couple of months. Smith is enjoying being able to fly under the radar and not have to deal with the added pressure of being in the limelight.
Smith shared with Sky Sports that the best part about this year's tournament is that he can show up and not be bombarded with interview requests. He jokingly added that as soon as Littler walked into the room, all the attention shifted to him. Smith is happy to be able to focus on his game without the added distractions. He reflected on last year's Premier League, admitting that he struggled to handle the pressure of being a world champion and world number one. This time around, he's taking a more laid-back approach, not putting too much pressure on himself and just focusing on playing his best.
Smith also believes that Littler's newfound stardom is beneficial for other players, both financially and in terms of taking the pressure off of them. He acknowledged that Littler has garnered more attention than even the legendary Phil Taylor, who has won 16 world championships. Smith sees this as an opportunity to ride the wave of Littler's popularity, with more sponsors and higher prize money coming in for all players.
Reflecting on his own performance, Smith admitted that he was disappointed with his early exit from the World Championship. Now, as a former world champion, he's determined to reclaim the title. He's starting the new year with a positive mindset and a hunger to succeed. Smith shared that he wanted to prove his critics wrong, who have blamed his darts for his lackluster performances. He clarified that it's not the equipment that's the issue, but rather his lack of practice and focus. However, after months of hard work, he's starting to see glimpses of his top form returning, as evident by his win in the Premier League.
In other Premier League news, Nathan Aspinall praised Littler's incredible talent, stating that he did things on the dartboard in his house that he has never seen anyone else do. James Wade also had a warning for Littler, stating that the grueling Premier League campaign will come at a cost.
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