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John Michael has expressed slight fears of having his PDC tour card stature ceased from his clutches amid growing concerns of the current coronavirus outbreak.
Known for his exotic entrance, taking to the stage with impressive native dancing exploits, Michael has emerged as undisputedly Greece’s greatest ever player.
The 46-year-old, nicknamed the ‘Deadly Rose’, has a staggering record of 16 Greek National Championship titles to his name as well as five prestigious Greek Open wins, and has experienced vast success across Europe also.
Since recouping his coveted tour card at the beginning of last year, Michael’s furthest endeavours have taken him to the third round of three PDC ProTour events. It’s safe to say that he’s struggled slightly.
Nevertheless, after overcoming a problem with his leg, he’s returning to form with added application. “So far so good,” he said. “After recovering from a leg injury, I played in the Players Championship events and the UK Open with extra strength and dedication.”
Amid the coronavirus crisis, Michael was one of the many players to withdraw from the latest Players Championship double-header at the Barnsley Metrodome. His fellow Eastern European players Boris Krcmar and Karel Sedlacek opted to emulate his decision, while Krzysztof Ratajski and Krzysztof Kciuk returned home midway through the weekend.
Sedlacek was advised by the Czech government not to fly across the continent with borders expected to be controlled, while Michael made his own decision not to attend tournaments which could prove essential in the outcome of this year’s campaign.
“The decision was very tough,” the Athens-based ace said, “but my first thoughts were to stay safe and healthy – for both me and my family, and I think that must be the first priority for all people playing darts around the world.
“I think it should [have been cancelled],” Michael honestly expressed. “It was a little bit risky because in the majority of countries, it wasn’t clear if the airports would remain open.
“No one was too sure about the drastic measures that countries would be taking, so as a person you had to either take the risk or decide not to play. If I’m completely honest, I was expecting a postponement of the weekend’s tournaments.
“I understand that it’s tough for all the professional players and we will face problems in many different levels, but this is something new for all of us and we have to face it as a fact.”
The postponement of tournaments aplenty and professional darts’ return currently being unclear leaves the Greek number one not only missing out on financial gains but also all-important points towards the Order of Merit.
He currently sits below the world’s top 64 mark – which acts as a divide between those who keep their tour card and those whose time as a professional is ceased come the end of the season.
A restrained ranking system has been rumoured, yet unconfirmed, leaving Michael with an ounce of fear in the back of his head. “I have a slight fear in the back of my head,” he said, “but I believe in the darts community, and I believe that the best solution will be given for all the professional players.”
If Michael’s professional status was to be scuppered, he would return to Qualifying School alongside the very few Greek prodigies who make the annual trip to the dream factory.
Darts is gradually growing in Greece. Michael states: “It’s definitely better than 10 years ago but further steps are still needing to be taken for Greece to reach full growth.”
He added: “We have many players with talent and willingness to learn and continue playing darts, but becoming a professional player is something different, not only in Greece, I think.
“For some countries which are away from central Europe like Greece, extra personal efforts and economical recourses are necessary. And this is the point that the difficulty is only starting. If you keep going with anyway you can, the results will make you happy. I have a feeling that in the future Greece will be represented with more professionals players.”
Spyridon Ballas, Christos Papadopoulos, Konstantinos Samaras and Michael’s World Cup of Darts partner Veniamin Symeonidis entered Q School in January, with the hope of joining their country’s greatest on the professional circuit.
Michael qualified through the gruelling, intense four-day long spectacle last January. He will now be hoping that he is given a valiant chance of retaining his tour card to ensure that he is not forced to return to Halle 39 in Hildesheim.
