Jonny Clayton says “time is running out” on his darts career given the quality of younger players involved in the sport at present.
World number seven Clayton booked his place in the fourth round of the World Darts Championship after surviving a late comeback from Daryl Gurney at Alexandra Palace.
But the 50-year-old, from Pontyberem, admits he is far from his best at present, despite securing wins against Mickey Mansell and Gurney so far at this year’s Alexandra Palace tournament.
“I don’t think I’ve got much left in darts, whereas these youngsters, they’ve got a long time left,” said the Welshman.
“So I’m trying to do as good as I can now because my time is running out.
“If you can relax up there and throw your best darts, you’ve got a chance, no matter what your age is.
“If you don’t produce your best, things get difficult. My best darts are not there at the moment.”
Clayton – a two-time World Cup of Darts winner – admits he struggled to focus on playing darts after losing his father, John, in July 2023.
And the former amateur rugby player says he has contemplated retiring from the sport.
“It [career] was over. I had no interest, I didn’t want to play the game, I didn’t want to travel. It meant nothing to me,” he added.
“It’s my hobby at the end of the day. Some of these youngsters are coming through and it’s their job.
“Losing my dad, I don’t want to keep going on about it, but that hurt.
“He was my inspiration to keep playing darts. So I said ‘that’s it, I don’t want to do it any more’.
“But when you’ve got family that are looking up to you and friends that believe in you, it means a lot and I thought I’d give it a chance.”
Clayton will face either Gerwyn Price or Joe Cullen in round four of the World Darts Championship.