After a crazy 2024 season which has seen three brand-new major winners, a few established big hitters are flirting with falling through the cracks.
Multiple big-name stars such as Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith are yet to qualify for the World Matchplay due to their poor form on the Pro Tour.
Fans have taken to social media to share their worry for the star’s future in the game, even going so far as to say they could be winding down their careers.
Fans think Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith are complacent
Fans are worried about the pair’s dip in form and believe they could be about to drop down in the rankings or – worse – retire altogether.
On X, one fan wrote: “Price is gone I reckon he’ll pack it in after the worlds”, while another said: “Remember when everyone said once Smith wins one he’ll dominate.? He didn’t have the champion mentality and Humphries has shown him the way.”
Another wrote: “Smith has to be careful he doesn’t go down Adrian Lewis road. Has he peaked? And from now on, is this where he will stay? Be interesting to see.”
Another was kinder about their plight, suggesting the demanding PDC Tour is too tough on players. They wrote: “Overkill. Those guys are only human too, you cannot play on top level 52 weeks a year for many years.
“Eventually your level will drop and/or you will get sick and tired of it and need a break. With too many events you quickly drop down the rankings.”
Smith has only won one solo event this year, winning the Players Championship 9, while Price is yet to win a ranking tournament but has won two World Series events.
Is 2024 the changing of the guard?
2024 has been a standout year for many reasons on the PDC Tour, as many new names have stepped up to the plate.
Luke Littler has had an exceptional debut year, picking up the Premier League and eight other titles, while Stephen Bunting finally captured a major at this year’s Masters.
Mike De Decker and Ritchie Edhouse also won majors, at the World Grand Prix and the European Championships respectively.
While Luke Humphries has dominated the other major tournaments, usual standard bearers Peter Wright, Price, and Smith have struggled across 2024.
This year could be the year darts change dramatically, as the standard gets higher and the competitiveness stretches beyond the top 5.