DARTS star Gemma Hayter has revealed she is coming for Beau Greaves after returning to the sport in style.
The 31-year-old used to play with aces like Luke Humphries and even represented England before quitting nine years ago.
PDCGemma Hayter is looking to work her way back to the top of darts[/caption]
GettyShe has set her sights on top women’s player Beau Greaves[/caption]
PAHayter used to play for England and even worked alongside Luke Humphries[/caption]
But Hayter bounced back in 2023 and is now competing at the top of darts once more.
She won two Women’s Series titles in 2024, pocketing nearly £8,000 along the way while finished sixth in the Order of Merit.
This year she is fourth on the list and is now aiming for a debut in July’s Women’s World Matchplay.
Opening up on her return to darts, Hayter told Tungsten Tales: “It’s funny actually, the same year I played for England was the same year I gave it up, so about nine years ago now and there was obviously the Littler hype from the World Championships before [2024 World Championships].
“I also used to play darts with Luke Humphries so I think it was both of the Lukes. I normally say the Luke Littler effect but when you see somebody you played youth darts with win the Worlds, that’s obviously going to inspire something inside of you.
‘‘So I started playing again in January 2024, just throwing in the house and then I noticed I was playing quite well. Then I said to my girlfriend: ‘These are going better than I expected.’
“And then I played the Women’s Series in March and then my very first one I got to the semi-final.
‘‘I set myself a target of winning £400 across a whole weekend and then in my first event I got to the semi-finals and I had won £500. It was definitely above my expectations.’’
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Hayter has now set her sights on catching Greaves, who is regarded as darts’ top female star.
But Hayter agrees with her rival that it’s currently difficult for women to compete with men regularly.
She added: “I’m probably thinking the same as Beau. I think it’s very hard for a woman to compete regularly with a man. You saw it with inconsistencies over the weekend.
“Beau has that 76 average with Fallon [Sherrock] in the final and then an 89 average and beat me so I think consistency is there for everyone.
“Beau is probably the most consistent woman but then on the flip side if I get an opportunity to play against the men then I will take that opportunity to play against them”
“Beau and Fallon and Lisa [Ashton] have done that for years. I think it’s maybe a shame that it’s taken so long for people to take notice but they’ve done the same for years. It’s huge for the ladies game.”
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