Ross Smith believes he ‘definitely’ deserves a Premier League debut on current form, having securing a second TV major title of the season at the Machineseeker European Championship.
Smith joined Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, Rob Cross and Peter Wright as a multiple winner of the European Championship, following his 2022 success by defeating Martin Schindler 11-8 in the final in Dortmund on Sunday.
The Englishman’s latest victory adds to September’s World Series Finals success and moves him to a career-high world No 6 in the PDC Order of Merit, having also won two European Tour and two Players Championship titles this season.
Smith will have further opportunities in the coming months to add to his major tally, while the 37-year-old is hopeful that his impressive campaign will bolster his chances of being selected – if not qualifying automatically – for Premier League debut next season.
When asked whether he is deserving of a Premier League spot in 2027, Smith said in his victory press conference: “Yes, at the moment, definitely. At the end of the year, who knows? There’s another three majors to come – it depends on what other players do.
“Right now, of course I do. I’ve won two majors. I’ve finished No 1 on the Order of Merit in Europe and I’ve won a couple of Euro Tours. I feel like I do but, again, I’m not the one who picks it!”
Ross Smith defeated Gary Anderson at the Hungarian Darts Trophy in August, before celebrating in heart-warming fashion with his son
He added: “With the Premier League, it’s out of my hands. If get a phone call or an e-mail or a text, because I don’t know what it is, from Mr [Matt] Porter or Mr [Barry] Hearn, then obviously I’d be over the moon and happy.
“If I don’t, I’ll knuckle down over the next year and I’ll get on with it.”
Smith: I feel like one of the elite players
The 37-year-old fired a 107 average during his 10-6 quarter-final victory over Luke Woodhouse at the Westfallenhalle and saw off Gerwyn Price 11-7 in the last four, recovering from 4-1 down to reach a third TV final, then denied Schindler a home victory.
Smith could move into the world’s top four with victory at the Grand Slam of Darts next month, live from November 14-22 on Sky Sports, while the World Darts Championship – where suffered a shock early exit last year – is another chance to pick up ranking points.
“I’d like to go a bit higher [in the rankings], I’m not going to lie,” Smith added. “I’ve just got to knuckle down and there’s many more majors coming up. Let’s push forward and let’s get in that top four or something like that.
“It would be amazing to be in the top four. It’s not the be all and end all for me but obviously, as a player, I want to go as high as I can.
Speaking on Love The Darts earlier this summer, Ross Smith said he felt he was ready to play in the Premier League
“I’ve lost the first round at Ally Pally for the last two years, so I’ve played awful and I’m not actually defending anything. If I’d actually done half decent, I think I’d already be in the top four. That’s darts and that’s life.
“I believe I can beat anybody but I’m also realistic enough that if I don’t turn up, I’m going to get done as well. You don’t win three majors with no confidence and things like that.
“I’m feeling really good. I definitely feel like one of the elite players – why wouldn’t I?”
Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 11-January 3) both live. Get the latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(471x244:473x246)/CNN-New-Years-Eve-with-Anderson-Cooper-123124-9952e5f00fc1425f87113ba2bfb97b29.jpg "Anderson Cooper Says He Once ‘Hated’ New Year’s Eve While Co-Hosting CNN Broadcast")
