TWO-TIME world champion Adrian Lewis has called on his fellow darts stars to “give it more needle” in a bid to up the ante at the oche.
Lewis, 40, is preparing to return after a break away from the sport he once dominated, and ‘Jackpot’ is hoping that things will be a little more exciting when he gets back to action.
GettyAdrian Lewis has called on PDC players add ‘more needle’[/caption]
Lewis, who has been caring for his ill wife since his career break, lost his PDC Tour Card last year due to inactivity following his decision to sit out the PDPA World Championship qualifiers.
But has now earmarked May or June as his return to the sport, committing to play in the Modus Super Series before eventually earning his spot back on the PDC circuit.
During his time on the PDC Tour Lewis was known to be one of the ‘villains’ of the oche, and now he wants others to show they can be the bad guy too – suggesting it’s all a bit too nice at the moment.
He said: “You do need a bit of argy-bargy, don’t you? It’s only a quick thing isn’t it, and you’re best of mates again the week after. I do find that.
“I think it’s a bit lovey-dovey. They do need a bit more needle going in but I’m sure as the tournaments progress throughout the year, I think we’ll see a lot more of it.
“Well, they’ll all be fresh again, won’t they? They’ve just had that break off the World Championships, and it’s a bit fresh.
“When it starts getting a bit mentally tiring, all the niggles will come out.”
Lewis was no stranger to winding up his opponents before his career break.
PAAdrian has called the current atmosphere between PDC players ‘lovey-dovey’[/caption]
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One of his most famous moments was a clash between himself and Peter Manley at the 2006 World Championship.
Lewis turned around mid-match to stare Manley directly in the eye as he hit a no-look blind 180.
Manley threw a comment back in his direction while he was throwing next, which prompted Lewis to leave the stage entirely.
While other incidents have seen him fined and banned over the years.
Before he can start thinking about how he’s going to wind up his opponents, Lewis has to focus on making sure he is back to his best with a dart in his hand – having been on a break for well over a year.
But the Stoke-on-Trent thrower has been getting his eye in ahead of his return, and beating some top players in the process.
He said: “You know, I’ve been playing a lot. I’ve been playing a lot of galas, a lot of exhibitions. I won one in Germany in front of 10,000 people
“I beat Luke Humphries in the final. Jonny Clayton in the semis. So, you know, I’ve not been too bad.”
List of all-time Darts World Champions
BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year.
The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions.
That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once – Barney also won four BDO titles – and none of Eric Bristow’s five BDO titles are included.
1994 – Dennis Priestley
1995 – Phil Taylor
1996 – Phil Taylor (2)
1997 – Phil Taylor (3)
1998 – Phil Taylor (4)
1999 – Phil Taylor (5)
2000 – Phil Taylor (6)
2001 – Phil Taylor (7)
2002 – Phil Taylor (8)
2003 – John Part
2004 – Phil Taylor (9)
2005 – Phil Taylor (10)
2006 – Phil Taylor (11)
2007 – Raymond van Barneveld
2008 – John Part (2)
2009 – Phil Taylor (12)
2010 – Phil Taylor (13)
2011 – Adrian Lewis
2012 – Adrian Lewis (2)
2013 – Phil Taylor (14)
2014 – Michael van Gerwen
2015 – Gary Anderson
2016 – Gary Anderson (2)
2017 – Michael van Gerwen (2)
2018 – Rob Cross
2019 – Michael van Gerwen (3)
2020 – Peter Wright
2021 – Gerwyn Price
2022 – Peter Wright (2)
2023 – Michael Smith
2024 – Luke Humphries
2025 – Luke Littler
Most World Titles
14 – Phil Taylor
3 – Michael van Gerwen
2 – John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright
1 – Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler
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