Fallon Sherrock fires warning to World Darts Championship doubters

Fallon Sherrock returns to Alexandra Palace this weekend (Picture: Getty Images)

Fallon Sherrock feels a better player in every department as she returns to Alexandra Palace looking to make a big splash again.

It’s four years on from Sherrock making history at the World Darts Championship when she beat Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic on debut, becoming the first woman to win at the sport’s biggest event.

As she heads to north London this year to try and repeat that success, she admits that those memories are never far from her mind, but she is focussing on adding to her wins at Ally Pally and feels well placed to do so.

‘Every time we get to this point in the year I do remember what happened in 2020,’ Sherrock told Metro.co.uk. ‘But at the moment I’m really trying to think about now and concentrating on this moment, trying to produce my A game this year. I know I need to pull out some high finishes.

‘I do think I am a better player now. I take out a lot more high checkouts consistently, my doubles are a lot better. My scoring is better as well, this year I’ve hit two 9-darters. The game is there.

‘I’ve done a lot in the game so far and I’m only 29, I’ve still got a few years left. Hopefully I can still propel the sport a bit more and propel my game in the years to come.’

Sherrock has not won any more World Championship matches since that wild ride four years ago, but she has done plenty more in the game, with those two 9-darters this year adding more history to her CV. She became the first woman to hit a 9-darter in a PDC event and then the first woman to hit a televised perfect leg.

Sherrock knows she has the game to make another impact in north London (Picture: Getty Images)

Her headline grabbing wins on the Alexandra Palace stage have put Sherrock in a unique position as the flag-bearer for women in the sport, one of the biggests names in the game and now an MBE, without that much experience in big events to go with it.

It is far from easy for the Queen of the Palace, but she has learned to live with the pressure and is keen to push her own career forward, which will hopefully help bring more women to the sport.

‘Yeah [I am in a unique position], but I think I’m used to the pressure and the position now,’ she said. ‘I’m a pioneer for women’s darts at the moment and it’s what I need to do to progress the sport.

‘The only way we’ll get more opportunities is if I try and encourage more women to play the game. Hopefully people will keep wanting to do what I do and change their lives.

‘It is definitely harder for me. I was straight in at the deep end thanks to the Worlds, with all the interviews and pressure situations, then going to Q School and having the Women’s Series. I was under so much pressure, but I think I’ve dealt with it really well, it’s become normality now.

‘I don’t try and prove myself more because I feel like I’ve proved myself enough. I just need to be more consistent, I’ll win a few more games then.’

Sherrock received an MBE in November (Picture: Getty Images)

Sherrock’s life was turned on its head with those two victories in north London four years ago, going from hairdressing with darts on the side to quite the opposite.

‘It’s completely different,’ she said. ‘I’m always away, always at competitions or exhibitions, I’m constantly playing. I’m away nearly every weekend, so when I do get a weekend I’m trying to do stuff with [son] Rory.

‘He’s used to it now, but it’s not easy with a child. It’s a lot easier now I’ve got [boyfriend] Cammy with me at home.

‘I still do some hairdressing on the side, a bit of barbering, hairdressing, I coloured my mate’s hair the other week. It takes the stress away from the darts. I enjoy the conversation and the satisfaction of seeing the end results.’

She will hope for some sparkling end results when she takes on Jermaine Wattimena in the evening session on Sunday 17 December.

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