Michael Smith is set to miss some crucial events this week as the former world champion is in danger of missing out on the World Grand Prix.
Smith, who won the World Championship in 2023 and was second in the world rankings as recently as December 2024, has had a drastic fall from the top of the darts pyramid this year…
Having won the World Championship, Smith admitted to taking ‘too much of a break’ from darts as he faced early tournament exits throughout 2023-2024.
A win at the World Cup of Darts and runner-up at the World Series of Darts in 2024 were a reprieve but as both were non-ranking events, his ranking position was in danger defending Grand Slam of Darts and World Championship prize money at the end of the year.
Related – Michael Smith claims “pressure is off” after FINALLY winning major title for his sponsor
A first round exit in the 2025 World Championship was the absolute worst case scenario for Bully Boy as he dropped outside the top 16 to begin the 2025 campaign.
Smith would eventually reveal that he’s been able to reach top form due to a number of injuries including arthritis in his throwing hand.
This is just one of a number of combining factors that have seen Smith snowball down the rankings (currently 21st).
He just missed out on qualification for the World Matchplay for the first time since 2014 and now faces the prospect of missing out on the World Grand Prix as he withdraws from more events this week due to injuries.
With fans noticing this, his management team have released a statement giving an injury update…
SEE MORE NEWS ON DECENT DARTS
👉 5 things we learned for the 2025 World Matchplay
👉 PDC Order of Merit ranking changes following 2025 World Matchplay
Michael Smith Management Team Release Injury Update
Darting Promotions Limited, the management team supporting Michael Smith released a statement to social media yesterday giving an injury update.
The statement reads:
“We have become aware over the last few days of reports/comments on social media regarding Michael and his participation in events in the near future. Ourselves and Michael would like to provide a short update on the injuries which have been affecting him in recent months and assure fans that he will be back fully fit very soon.
“As you are all aware Michael has been suffering with arthritis in his right hand for a while and has recently developed a problem with his left foot/ankle. After recent blood tests this has revealed certain answers and we are now hopeful that with a course of medication these problems can be controlled in the future.
“As you will have seen Michael has withdrawn from this week’s events in Germany, this is due to him requiring a scan on his shoulder which was damaged at Christmas time. This has been arranged for this week which unfortunately means he is unable to take part in the upcoming Pro Tours and European Tour qualifiers.
“We feel this is now the right time to hopefully resolve the above issues and allow Michael to get back to his best and be back playing the way we all know he can.”
Smith then provided a further response to this statement:
“And get my eyes lasered in there also. I hope you will all understand but I promise I’ll be back and firing again. Few hiccups won’t ruin me, I’ve proved that time and time again.”
And get my eyes lasered in there also 🙈.
— Michael Smith (@Michael180Smith) July 28, 2025
I hope you will all understand But I promise I’ll be back and firing again few hiccups won’t ruin me I’ve proved that time and time again 💪❤️ https://t.co/Zzx1MziGLq
Michael Smith Struggles Continue
Earlier this year we covered some of Smith’s stats and win/loss records.
They showed how his drop down the rankings were showing no immediate signs of a reversal and several months later the trend seems to just be getting worse for Bully Boy…
Read more – Michael Smith stat shows ‘worrying’ form as he drops down the PDC rankings
With this latest update, Smith now sits outside the qualification place for the World Grand Prix and missing the ProTour events this week will only make it more difficult for Smith to qualify – especially with his list of injuries and issues.
The top 16 on the Order of Merit quality as seeds while the top 16 on the ProTour Order of Merit (excluding those already qualified) take the remaining places.
Smith sits 17th on the ProTour OoM, one place outside of qualification going into a week of Players Championship events in Hildesheim where he players like Joe Cullen and William O’Connor could overtake him.
Smith reached the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix in 2023 so if he doesn’t qualify he will be unable to defend that prize money (£40,000) and will fall closer to the top 32 in rankings.
Hopefully he gets the correct treatment and recovery as soon as possible. This has been a difficult situation for Smith on and off the oche but it looks like it could get even worse before it gets better…
READ NEXT ON DECENT DARTS
➡️ Adrian Lewis thinks he should have won more in darts but reveals ‘mindset’ held him back
➡️ 5 best Michael Smith moments in darts
If not already, make sure to follow Decent Darts on X or Facebook where we bring you daily darts content including news, quotes and quizzes that you won’t find on the site.