Jonny Clayton is eagerly looking forward to his return to the stage at the US Darts Masters. The Welshman also competed in the inaugural edition at Madison Square Garden in 2022 and is delighted to be part of the prestigious World Series event in New York once again. He arrives full of confidence as well, having recently made a strong impression in the Premier League Darts.
“Well, obviously darts is still quite new in America, so it's nice to see new crowds. It's nice to be involved in something that we're trying to grow across the world,” said Clayton to talkSPORT. “When you go around Europe and back home in the UK, we're used to those crowds and that atmosphere. To come out to America and play in front of American crowds, where it's still new to us and probably new to them as well, is really exciting.” Asked if the crowds are as boisterous in the US as in the UK, Clayton remarked that they certainly give the Brits a run for their money in continuing to fill Madison Square Garden: “Yeah, definitely. They're loud, aren't they? The Americans are brilliant. That's what we want. If they're having a good time, it means we're doing something right. When they're chanting and singing, whatever it may be, it lifts our game as well. I think it helps us as players play a little bit better.”
Speaking of which, Clayton remarked about the incredible rise of the sport which has been helped chiefly by Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. “Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it? It's great for us as players and it's great for the sport itself. Darts has just become massive. Where's it going to stop? I've only been involved in the professional game for about 10 years and I've already seen a massive change. I just hope it keeps growing bigger and bigger.”
Asked how he stops Luke Littler if they face off this weekend, he remarked that he already has on a number of occasions so isn't afraid of 'The Nuke'. “Well, I've done it a few times in the Premier League, so I just need to remember how I did it! If he gives you chances, you have to take them. That's how good the kid is. I've seen a lot of players in my time and he is something special.”
Asked a similar question to Stephen Bunting regarding whether Littler could be the greatest in the future, he said that it is double-pronged and that, in reality, he is unlikely to beat his tally when it comes to bigger titles but is already well on his way in terms of overall titles. “Maybe. The answer changes so much. Phil was fantastic – the GOAT, as everyone says. His trophy cabinet is incredible and I don't think that will ever be beaten. With Luke Littler, I'm not sure he'll be in the game for as long as Phil was. The money that's in darts now is huge. Does he need to play for that amount of time? Phil was there for years and years and years, and that's why his trophy cabinet became so big. The sport is getting bigger, sponsorship is getting bigger and prize money is getting bigger. In the end, it comes down to the individual. Does he want it that much? Phil obviously did. If you compare Phil's prize money to what Luke Littler has already earned in a relatively short amount of time, he's probably catching up already.” But who would win in their respective pomps? “Oh my God. That's a great question. It would be a tough match, I can tell you that. I think Littler would take it. Nothing seems to faze him. He never looks under pressure. It's amazing the way he does it. I'm sure he just switches on and thinks, 'I'll hit what I want and I'm in the game.' He's fantastic. What a player. He's going to have a great future and he's a great kid as well. I'm honoured to be a part of the journey he's on. But I can always say I beat him twice in the Premier League!”
