'I don’t think we should have them there' - Jonny Clayton slams German Pro Tour events after skipping them in 2025

Jonny Clayton indicated his distaste for Players Championship events in Germany, revealing that they are the only events that he purposely does not turn up to. He spoke to Dartsnews.com about this after advancing into the second round of the World Grand Prix with a 2-0 victory over Andrew Gilding.

Clayton stormed into a 2-0 lead before Gilding go into the game. Goldfinger had multiple opportunities to level but failed to take them, with Claytin taking out 74 to seal the first set. Gilding found his range on the doubles in the second set and forced a much closer tie, but it would be the 2021 winner who would sneak through, taking out 54 in two darts to confirm a long-awaited victory over Gilding.

"Yeah, it feels great to be honest. He taught me how to play darts last Thursday in Leicester, so that’s one back on him! I’m chuffed with that. The first game is always the hardest — you’re nervous, and we all are. I feel good in the back room, thinking, 'Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.' Then I stand on that runway and think, 'Wow, I’m nervous.' You can’t wait to get on that stage — and when that first double goes in, you think, 'I’m awake!' I am a nervous kind of person, but I enjoy it up there. I think it’s good to have a little bit of nerves."

He recently was whitewashed by the former UK Open champion in a Pro Tour event, lengthening the long list of torrid experiences against him. But Clayton managed to finally clinch that all important win against Gilding. "Yes and no. I knew I’d lost more than I’d won, kind of thing," he said. "Especially with last Thursday — like I said, he hammered me 6–0, didn’t give me any chances at doubles at all. So when that first double 16 went in, I thought, 'Thank God.'"

Clayton on the march for silverware

The Ferret is looking back to his fabulous best in 2025. His major form has come on leaps and bounds, reaching the final of the World Masters and World Cup, along with semi-final appearances in the UK Open and World Matchplay. The last major title he won was all the way back in 2021, when he defeated Gerwyn Price to win this event. This is firmly on his mind four years later, as he searches for the next triumph.

"Yeah, probably it is. We all think that — we’re all chasing trophies at the end of the day," Clayton said. "Money in the bank is brilliant, but it’s nice to have a bit of silverware in the cupboard as well. I’d be a liar to say I don’t think about winning majors. I’ve done it before and I know I can do it again, so hopefully I’m on the way back."

This could be the event where he breaks his major drought, with knowledge that he can win this event before possibly coming in beneficial now. "Yeah, maybe — but I think not only that. My finishing is good, so I’m not afraid to go for doubles. I don’t hit them all the time, but I’m not afraid to go for them," he said. "If you give me a chance, I’m hunting that win. Doubles are a good part of my game — I just need to put everything together and hopefully I can get back on track."

Considering retirement

The Ferret had to endure a mentally tough 2024, with problems off the oche. His form waned on the oche, failing to reach a major final for the first time since 2019 and only picking up just a sole title on the floor. Retirement was an ever-growing thought in Clayton's mind, but these have vanished with Clayton back smiling on stage.