Ross Smith is putting the disappointment of his World Darts Championship second round exit behind him as he focuses on a big year ahead.

Smith, from Deal, lost 3-1 to reigning Grand Slam Champion and no.14 seed Jose de Sousa at Alexandra Palace last week, despite going a set up against the Portuguese player.

The 31-year-old Kent darts professional admitted he wasn’t at his best, in what was his fourth appearance at the PDC World Championship, but has vowed to put in the hours to improve.

“I knew I had more in my game but it didn’t quite happen,” he said.

Smith claimed a first set whitewash but de Sousa battled back to lead 2-1. He had the chance to take the game to a decider but missed three darts which allowed his opponent to claim the win, which he did.

“I don’t think I played to the standard I had been playing to really,” Smith said. “I was disappointed with how I played, even in the first game (beating David Evans 3-0 in round one). I have been playing a lot better.

“I don’t think Jose played to his capability either and that was a missed opportunity for me.

“I will just prepare for the new season ahead which starts for me now, I am not going to have a month off or anything like that, like a lot of the players do, I am going to make sure I am ready.

“I really do think 2021 could be a good one. I am more confident than ever, I feel like I am doing better every year anyway and going forward I know that I am going to be working even harder. I am working harder already and I will just continue it.

“I am treating darts like normal work now. Before I was probably doing a couple of hours a day, now I am stepping it up to six hours a day until we get back for the first tournament of the year. I want to be kicking off the year with a great start, to push on and really work hard.”

There was added stress pre-tournament, as there has been most of the year, due to Covid testing. Thankfully for Smith he at least managed to compete. Others were not so lucky. Fellow Kent player Josh Payne missed out after having to self-isolate, having been in close contact with someone who had the virus.

Giving an insight into the build-up, Smith said: “I isolated for nearly two weeks before I went there, that was for my own peace of mind. I took a few extra precautions because you don’t want to fail that test.

“I drove to London, had the test, then you go straight to your room in your hotel and isolate, you’re not allowed out, that takes another 24 hours at least. I took a board with me, put it up on the door and had some practice.

“It gives you something to do but we have had it all year, we are familiar with it now, we take PlayStations and books, we are lucky we have all these gadgets to pass the time. It is quite relaxing apart from waiting for that test result, which is quite stressful!”

The experience at the Ally Pally was a different one this year as the usual noisy crowd was absent.

“We’re missing the crowd,” he said. “There is no atmosphere, but at the same time you have to get yourself up for it, it is the World Championships.

“The crowd can work both ways but they are fantastic, they are what make the atmosphere and also pay the wages so we do want them there 100%. We had the crowd noise pumped into the venue but obviously it isn’t the same, there wasn’t that same buzz.”

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