This article was originally published in Darts Planet TV’s monthly magazine. Click here to purchase the December 2022 issue.
Michael Smith dropped to the floor as the monkey finally jumped off his back. His emotions were a mixture of happiness, reassurance and relief that he had scuppered his four years of heartbreak and sheer anguish with Grand Slam of Darts glory.
It was his fourth major final of the campaign, only the legendary Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen have reached that amount during a calendar year, and his ninth overall but Smith shattered those doubts with a mentally-strong showing in Wolverhampton.
That was testament to how much mental toughness the current world number four has developed in recent years. From his extremely downbeat reaction to World Championship and UK Open losses to his more positive attitude to being beaten in October’s European Championship final.
“One day all this heartache and blood, sweat and tears will be worth it,” Smith said following his latest agonising defeat in Dortmund. “I know I’m one of the hardest working and most consistent players out there. I will get my gold medal and then more and more.”
His moment soon materialised nonetheless and it was an emotional occasion for the five-time European Tour champion. Smith swept aside Nathan Aspinall to seal success in emphatic fashion, having ground out a hard-fought victory over the resurgent Raymond van Barneveld in the semi-finals.
It was a milestone that concluded his long road to becoming a major champion. Smith was crowned world youth champion nine years ago at London’s O2 Arena and famously overcame Phil Taylor in one of the most memorable World Championship matches months later, before breaking into the world’s top eight in 2015.
Michael van Gerwen handed the sport’s latest generational talent at the time two of his three initial blows in televised finals, thrashing him in both the 2018 Premier League and 2019 World Championship finals. Those setbacks were sandwiched by Smith spurning five match darts in an 11-10 defeat to James Wade at the World Series of Darts Finals.
Rob Cross capitalised on a slow start from Smith to claim 2019 World Matchplay glory, before ‘Bully Boy’ once again found himself embroiled in deciding-leg drama, missing three attempts at double to become Masters champion in January 2020.
His second attempt at an Alexandra Palace triumph came two years later. Having constructed a handy 5-4 lead in the title decider, Peter Wright reeled off three sets in succession, producing an almost unplayable standard to become a two-time world champion.
It had taken either a world champion or a multiple-time major champion to topple Smith in one of his half a dozen televised finals. However, Smith headed into his proceeding two title deciders as a heavy favourite, and they were two finals of contrasting happenings.
Danny Noppert showed tremendous nerve to become UK Open champion in March but recorded a mere 84 average, while Ross Smith was breathtaking in his European Championship success in October, posting a scintillating 101.32 average. Both were crowned major champions for the first time.
There was a thorough difference between Smith’s attitude when being miserably beaten at the UK Open in a nervy encounter to his high-quality defeat at the European Championship. Smith was satisfied with the way he performed in that Dortmund final and sensed that his hour was around the corner.
All those stumbling blocks, kicks in the teeth and misfortunes are now behind him. All that pressure and those voices in his head telling him he may not happen have been banished. That burden he was carrying for almost half a decade has been dislodged.
Smith had reigned supreme at the iconic Madison Square Garden during the World Series of Darts circuit but that elusive major accolade had evaded him until lifting his maiden slice of silverware in the shape of the prestigious Grand Slam of Darts.
He cradled the illustrious Eric Bristow trophy with undeniable pride and proudness, like it was one his children – who both watched on alongside Smith’s wife Dagmara from the Wolverhampton audience with the same happiness.
It was almost a flashback to Gerwyn Price holding that accolade four years beforehand. His triumph unlocked the floodgates during a remarkable rise to world number one and world champion, and you would except a similar outcome for the latest champion.
Smith is one of the most naturally talented players the sport has ever seen. He’s proved that persistence pays off, his destiny has been fulfilled and he will now be hoping to make his fond Alexandra Palace memories even more joyous as the most wonderful time of the year beckons.
