World Darts Championship: Adrian Lewis admits he’s close to retirement but can go far at Alexandra Palace again | Darts News
‘Jackpot’ Adrian Lewis assesses his chances against ‘The Heat’ Damon Heta in the second round at Ally Pally Watch the PDC World Darts Championship 2023 – live on Sky Sports – through to the final on January 3rd
By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace
Last updated: 12/18/22 11:04 am
Adrian Lewis is ready to turn back the years at the World Darts Championship
Adrian Lewis is determined to enjoy himself at his 18th World Darts Championship but ‘Jackpot’ admits he will be close to quitting if he doesn’t have a good run at Alexandra Palace.
Lewis, 37, is one of the biggest names in the sport, having competed at the elite level for nearly two decades.
A winner of nine TV titles – including two consecutive world titles in 2011 and 2012 – Lewis put pressure on his most recent appearance in the home of darts by saying he will try to finish the game if he doesn’t die goods delivered.
Sunday 17 December – Games (1100 GMT)
| Madars Razma | vs | Prakash Jiwa (R1) |
| Karl Sedlacek | vs | Raymond Smith (R1) |
| Luke’s wooden house | vs | Vladyslaw Omelchenko (R1) |
| Damon Heta | vs | Adrian Lewis (R2) |
Lewis, who lost just three legs en route to a straight-set win over Sweden’s Daniel Larsson in the opening round on Friday, says he still has the determination and the fight: “Have you seen my attitude? What do you think Here it is I’m in right now, either I do or I don’t.
“What do I want from the game? That’s the answer now. I want to win more. That’s what I want.
“I reckon if I don’t win this time or have a good run – two years!”
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Check out every nine-darter hit at the PDC World Championship – including two from Lewis himself
The Stoke-on-Trent pitcher, who clinched his first rankings title in almost three years in 2022, is looking to end his five-year wait for a televised semi-final spot.
He said: “I’m almost 38 now and you have to remember I’ve been playing here for almost 20 years now!
“I feel very comfortable up here. It’s been my home for as long as I can remember. I’ve always said in my interviews and everything else that there’s something magical about this place and I love it. If I can’t bring myself to do it, then I shouldn’t be playing the game!
“I will continue. I’ll do my best and that’s all I can do. If I let you down, I apologize, but I’m ready for the fight! Trust me I’m for the fight
“Yo Adrian, Yo Adrian. Yes, I’m ready for it,” Lewis continued. “I don’t know where it came from, I feel like it. I can emulate reaching the final six years ago. I do it.”
“It’s a great start to his World Championship campaign. He’ll be really happy to have that comfortable performance and anyone who was like him before then slides down the ranks, they know they still have skills and they just have to have the desire and the want. It’s hard to believe that 11 years ago he won the world championship for the first time – crazy! Damon Heta has to do his best.
Corrine Hammond on Adrian Lewis
Lewis is looking to end his five-year wait for a spot in the televised semifinals
Knocked out of the top 32 in the world at the Grand Slam of Darts after Raymond van Barneveld’s brilliant run to the semi-finals at the Grand Slam of Darts, Lewis added: “I just have to keep the same rhythm. That’s important to me – no matter what comes back, keep going with them.
“If I get beaten, I’ll retire next year and I don’t want that. i want to enjoy it I want to get up there and throw.
“When I think about how long I’ve been here, it’s amazing. It’s eating me up 24/7 – how can I improve? How can I do this and how can I do that.”
From December 15th to January 3rd, watch the PDC World Darts Championship 2023 live on Sky Sports.
