Fallon Sherrock cherishes sporting rivalry with Beau Greaves: 'In the past if I had a rivalry they would just ignore me'

The rivalry between Fallon Sherrock and Beau Greaves is considered the greatest in women's darts, but for Sherrock it is above all a bond based on mutual respect. In an interview with Online Darts, the 30-year-old "Queen of the Palace" spoke candidly about their sporting rivalry, which she believes makes both players stronger.

"Yeah, it's a fierce rivalry," she said. "But it's because when we play, we bring out the best in each other." Sherrock, who made history in 2019 as the first woman ever to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship, knows how rare such top duels are. "There's never one of us really folding, it's always nip and tuck – and I think that's what makes it such a good watch because we both refuse to give up."

That mutual belligerence is in stark contrast to previous experiences Sherrock had with female competitors. "I actually enjoy the friendly rivalry. We're sat upstairs, we're talking and stuff like that. In the past, if I've had a rivalry with someone, they would just ignore me. So it's kind of nice," she says of her bond with Greaves.

Greaves, the current women's world number one ranked player, has dominated the Women's Series in recent years and is widely regarded as the best female player in the world. She deliberately chose the Women's World Championship rather than the World Championship at the PDC in recent years. Still, Sherrock hopes her younger colleague will make the switch this time around.

"I hope she does because of her run at the UK Open – how she's playing at the Challenge Tour and the Development Tour and stuff like that, her game is in a really good place," Sherrock said.

According to Sherrock, participating in the PDC World Championship would be a logical next step. "Why would you not just challenge it and compete at the Worlds? Because if you go on a run at the Worlds, or win the Worlds, your life changes completely."