Former PDC world champion Michael Smith has announced his temporary departure from darts to undergo laser eye surgery. The 34-year-old, who notably defeated Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in 2023, has faced challenges this year after disclosing his battle with arthritis in his right hand earlier in the year. Consequently, Smith’s global ranking has dropped to 21, and he missed out on qualifying for the World Matchplay in Blackpool for the first time in over a decade.
His management company, Darting Promotions Limited, has provided an update on his health following his withdrawal from upcoming competitions. They confirmed that apart from the arthritis in his right hand, Smith is now dealing with a foot issue. Recent blood tests have revealed some answers, and there is hope that with medication, these health issues can be managed effectively in the future.
Smith’s withdrawal from events in Germany is due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Christmas period, requiring a scan that will prevent him from participating in upcoming Pro Tours and European Tour qualifiers. Despite these setbacks, Smith remains positive about addressing these health concerns and returning to his peak performance levels. He shared these details on social media, mentioning his upcoming laser eye surgery in the process.
In his message, Smith expressed his determination to overcome these obstacles and assured fans of his eventual return to form. While the exact timing of his surgery was not disclosed, it is standard practice for athletes in non-contact sports to take a short break post-surgery before resuming their activities.
Since his last PDC title win at Ally Pally, Smith has faced difficulties in major tournaments, including missing out on the recent Matchplay event. His performance has noticeably declined, with his last Pro Tour match on July 9 resulting in a loss to Thibault Tricole. Fans may have to wait a considerable amount of time before witnessing the Bully Boy’s comeback to the darts scene.