Michael Smith missing from World Matchplay for first time since 2013

Michael Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay for the first time in a very long time. The last time 'Bullyboy' was missing from the prestigious tournament in Blackpool was in 2013.

Smith made his debut at the World Matchplay in 2012, but missed out on qualification the following year. After that, Smith was always there from 2014 through 2024 at the Winter Gardens.

For the first few years, he had little success in Blackpool, but that changed with a final place in 2019. After that, Smith made it to the quarterfinals once more and the semifinals twice, including in 2024. His semifinal place in 2024 was a paltry highlight of a very lean darts year from the darter from St. Helens. The lack of good results caused Smith to slip further and further down the PDC Order of Merit.

A free fall came after the past World Darts Championship. At Alexandra Palace, Smith had to defend his world title from two years ago, but a defeat in the fourth round caused 'Bullyboy' to lose a huge portion of his world ranking prize money in one fell swoop.

Smith fell outside the top-20 and he was also not in a good position on the Pro Tour Order of Merit as results at the Players Championship tournaments and the Euro Tours were also not good. This year, Smith reached only two semifinals and two quarterfinals in 29 Pro Tour tournaments.

Earlier this year, Smith revealed that he suffers from arthritis in his right hand, which may thus be the reason for his lack of good performance. According to Smith, he broke both his wrists when he was 19, and those fractures are now starting to bother him.

"Feels like this needed to be said as I'm annoyed seeing [comments saying] I'm finished or what's happening it's this or that. The last six weeks I've had grade two AC [acromioclavicular] shoulder injury and seeking physio every two-three days to help that but for three-four years I've been fighting something else.

"I broke both my wrists when I was 19 and now it's catching up with me and now suffering with arthritis to my right hand."