STEPHEN BUNTING admits he’s “lucky to be alive” after almost quitting darts.
The popular slinger has soared to No5 in the world after some incredible recent performances including victory in the Bahrain Masters.
RexRob Cross admits he’s ‘lucky to be alive’ after nearly quitting darts[/caption]
Bunting’s earnings have seen him enter this year’s Premier League, which kicks off in Belfast tomorrow.
But The Bullet admits it has not been all plain sailing.
Tomorrow’s Prem appearance will be Bunting’s first in a DECADE.
Speaking ahead of his first match against Rob Cross, the star admits he almost turned his back on darts.
And Bunting even reckons he’s “lucky to be alive”, saying: “I’m glad I’m still alive. 10 years is a long time, isn’t it?
“A lot of things have happened, obviously form. I don’t think any player continues to play well for 10 years in a row.
“There’s peaks and troughs in everyone’s career, but to pick myself up from where I was, really down in the doldrums, really thinking about walking away from the sport to where I am now, well number five, the highest I’ve ever been ranked.
“Just the way I’m playing, the confidence, the fan base, everything about me is positive. The family behind me, my management, which we’re going to extend our deal together, which is really important to me.
“Obviously brand partners and sponsors that have come on board as well, so it’s all a big deal to me and I’m just enjoying the ride.”
Bunting went on to reveal how close he came to quitting.
He continued: “I wouldn’t say I always believed that (I would bounce back). Like I said, I was close to walking away from the sport and it was always important to me to play in the Premier League.
“Obviously, if I’d never played in the Premier League again, at least at the end of my career, I could have said I did give it a go and I had a go. I think this time around, obviously the confidence is there.
“I’m number five in the world and I’m really just relishing each and every week that I’m going to be playing in the Premier League.
“I’m really looking forward to it and honestly I can’t tell you enough how much I’m looking forward to getting on that stage and getting the campaign started.”
Bunting ended by revealing he had been seeing a sports psychologist to help find his mojo again.
He added: “I believe in that sort of stuff. I’ve seen a sports psychologist, a hypnotherapist, different things to try and get that extra percentage out of my game.
“The hypnotherapist has really worked really hard with me and I believe that’s a massive help to get where I am today.”
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