Darts star Jonny Clayton could quit being a full-time player if his form does not improve.
The Welshman previously worked as a plasterer for Carmarthenshire County Council until last June, when an increasingly exhaustive schedule led to him giving it up. In the lead-up to that decision, the world number seven enjoyed a phenomenal 2021, winning the Premier League, World Grand Prix, Masters and World Series finals.
However, he has not won a major title since that year and his last title anywhere came on the world tour at the New South Wales Darts Masters last August. Following an opening round win at the recently-concluded Baltic Sea Darts Open, Clayton opened up on his plans for the future if he cannot rediscover his best form.
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"In a way but it's my job so for me to earn money, I need to go to work,” he told Dartnyheder.dk. “I don't think I'd pull out of any European Tours, I'd pull out of the ProTours I think but I'm not thinking that far ahead. I'm not tired so I'll run with it.
"I'm not saying I miss my job, I miss my friends. I do miss it. I'm not going to lie but hopefully by making that decision, it's going to make me a better darts player so if it doesn't the next year, I'm going back to work."
Clayton defeated Ted Evetts 6-1 in Kiel and admitted it was a difficult match despite the one-sided scoreline, due to 'Super Ted' not being at his best. "It's my second time here, once on an exhibition and once on the European Tour,” he added.
“It's brilliant, it's nice to start off with a good win and I know Ted didn't play to his best but I'll take them all. I'm glad to get off to a good start.”
Clayton’s run at the Sea Darts Open came to an end in the last four at the hands of Dave Chisnall by a scoreline of 7-5, having squandered a 5-2 lead.
Initially Clayton was doing all the damage as he hit a 122 en route to four straight legs at 4-2. But the comeback began as Chisnall hit an 86 checkout to make it three legs without reply at 5-5 and also hit a clinical 100 checkout using two double 20's to make it 6-5, before finishing it with a superb 88 on the bull.
Clayton is struggling in the ongoing Premier League, sitting in seventh place and has won just two matches.
Following a defeat to world champion Michael Smith earlier in the tournament, Clayton joked he went to throw his darts in the bin after growing frustrated with his performances.
In an interview with Online Darts, he joked: “Obviously his confidence is flying. I came off the stage and I threw my darts at the bin, but I missed that bloody thing as well, so yeah never mind, we will try again.”
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