A FORMER darts world champion has been sent a warning ahead of the World Series of Darts.
Eight players are seeded for the tournament, which takes place this weekend.
Michael Smith has been warned about his change in status[/caption]
Among them are Luke Littler, Stephen Bunting, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross – who each won a Masters tournament this year.
One notable omission from that pool of seeded players is former world champion Michael van Gerwen, who instead qualifies via the World Series Order of Merit.
Another former world champion who has failed to qualify is Michael Smith, who has suffered a steep decline after reaching last year’s final.
He won the World Darts Championship in 2023 but is now just “one of many” according to former darts star Vincent Van der Voort.
He said on his Darts Draait Door podcast: “Smith now has to deal with a different status.
“He was a regular in the Premier League for years. Now he’s just one of many.
“That’s a switch not every top player can handle.”
Littler will go into the tournament as favourite after winning the last two qualifying events in Australia and New Zealand.
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But on Sunday winning streak of NINETEEN games on the big stage was ended by Gian van Veen at the Czech Masters.
It came after the world champion hit out at a fan after being “grabbed” from behind at a hotel.