Ross Smith was crowned the winner of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam on Sunday evening, defeating Gerwyn Price 11-5 in the final to secure the second major title of his career. The Englishman, known as 'Smudger', admitted he could hardly believe his luck and cautiously hinted at a possible participation in the 2027 Premier League.
Smith sees irony in the fact that, like the European Tour, he can win the end-of-season major despite previously struggling to win titles on that end. "Absolutely made up, absolutely made up. A bit strange though, isn't it? I can't win a game in the World Series but I win the Finals," he told Online Darts. "That's the same as the Euro, wasn't it? I won the Europeans but I didn't win the Euro Tour. So yeah, that just sums me up, doesn't it? You know, so no, obviously I'm bloody made up."
Smith said this victory perhaps feels better than his first major, as it vindicates his recent form. "I'd say so because the first one sort of came out of the blue. I wasn't expecting it or anything like that, but I suppose the past month since the World Series call-up, I feel like I played really well. You know, on the Euro Tour, I've come back 1-1, quarter-finals, runner-up and then obviously here. So yeah, I feel like my game and consistency is definitely there. So yeah, it means more than the first one."
Reflecting on his early exits in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, Smith said it gave him a kick up the backside. "I wouldn't say it focused me more, it just gave me a kick up the backside. You know, I felt like I let myself down and I was given a great opportunity and it really hurt. You know, I work hard at this game. I don't take it for granted at all and to be given the opportunity was massive for me and yeah, I let myself down and I thought I need to correct this and I've come back and I've definitely done that and yeah, I got some big balls, I think."
Now a two-time major champion, Smith said the win hasn't fully sunk in. "It ain't registered yet, to be fair. No, it's absolutely amazing and I'm absolutely buzzing, absolutely buzzing. I don't really know what to say, to be fair. I really don't, but I'm just over the moon and you know, I've got great people at home and I know it's a bit of a cliché, but I have. I really have got great people at home and family and support and they help me so much, so yeah, I'm really good. I'm in a good place."
Attention turned to the Premier League, with Smith asked whether it is now time for him to be included given his run and how last time he joined a short list of players not included despite being a major champion. "Yeah, I think I have, but at the same time, you know, lesson learned from last time. We're only halfway through the season. We've got all the majors coming up. I'm not going to sit here and lie. Of course, I want to be in it. If you give me the opportunity, I'm going to grab it with both hands and I won't play like I did in the World Series. But honestly, it's a privilege to play this game and if I get a call-up, then fantastic. I think I'm ready, but that's not up to me, is it? It's out of my hands. All I can do is keep doing what I'm doing, keep performing and yeah, I just want to keep picking up titles and yeah, money."
Smith, who won in Budapest and Riesa this year, said he loves playing in Europe more than England. "I love playing in Europe, more so than England by the looks of it. I do rubbish in England. But no, everything's going well. I can't grumble at all. I love playing in Europe."
Facing Van Veen, Smith expected stick from the crowd but had no issue with it. "To be fair, I knew I was going to get a stick from the crowd, but that's rightly so. It doesn't bother me, things like that. The crowd, I thought, you know, were really respectful. I've got no issue with the crowd here. I think they've been absolutely brilliant. Rightly so. They should cheer their home players on. The Ally Pally crowd certainly do that for me and for other players. So just part and parcel of the game and yeah, I knew what to expect and you just get on with it."
Smith added that this has certainly been his best year to date. "Yeah, without a doubt. Even before this tournament, obviously, because this isn't obviously ranked, but if you look at the year-to-date in the rankings, I think I'm sitting fourth or something like that. And I've had a great year. If you're sitting in top four of the year-to-date, you're doing well. So no, definitely this is the best year I've had. But again, you keep working hard and don't take things for granted and kick on."
Fans noticed his 'Red Light Spells Danger' walk-on was gone, and when asked why he changed it, Smith said he got bored. "I've just got a bit bored. I got a bit bored, so I thought I'd spruce it up a little bit. But if your mom's got any other recommendations, I'm all ears. So as long as it's not Frank Sinatra, I'm all ears."
He won't be getting bored of winning titles anytime soon as Smith surges to a second major.
