Expectant Simon Whitlock believes he can emulate the proudest moment of his darting career and reach the World Championship final this Christmas.
The 44-year-old Australian is building up to the biggest tournament on the darting calendar, with the traditional festive period sporting feast getting underway at Alexandra Palace on Friday.
Whitlock has a fine record at the World Championships, reaching the final in 2010 as well as enjoying runs to the quarter-finals and semi-finals in two of the three years since.
And he is confident of another memorable Christmas performance on the sport’s biggest stage.
“There is nothing like the World Championships and I can’t wait to get up on that stage again,” said Whitlock, who is seeded fourth.
“It’s the biggest and best tournament of the year and the spotlight is really on everyone in the field.
“I’ve had one or two disappointments recently but my form over the year as a whole has been very good and I’m feeling confident.
“I feel as though I’m playing well enough to have another long run and hopefully reach the final like 2010.
“I might have lost to Phil Taylor but it’s still the proudest night of my darting life and hopefully I can repeat it.”
Whitlock begins his quest for glory at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday, December 17 when he takes on Ross Smith in the final match of the night.
The pair met at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in last month’s Grand Slam of Darts with Whitlock running out a 5-2 winner.
But ‘the Wizard of Oz’ accepts that result will mean nothing when the pair renew their rivalry.
“Ross is a good young player and this is a totally different game,” added Whitlock.
“The Grand Slam format is legs and this is sets so it’s a totally different mindset.
“The World Championships is the ultimate for darters and I know I will have to perform well to reach the second round.”
Words courtesy of Leyland Paints
Whitlock’s sponsor Leyland Paints was founded in 1922 and has a long and distinguished history as a manufacturer and supplier of decorative paints, particularly targeted at tradesmen.