Michael Smith Breaks Down in Tears During Heartbreaking Interview

An emotional Michael Smith gave a heartbreaking post-match interview following his win over Nathan Aspinall at the Grand Slam of Darts.

The 35-year-old former world champion, who is currently ranked 30th in the PDC's Order of Merit, marked his first appearance in a televised tournament since March with a 5-3 victory over Aspinall.

It has been an especially tough year for Smith, who has battled numerous health issues, including arthritis in his throwing hand, a shoulder injury, and problems with his foot and ankle.

He also stepped away from darts in July to receive laser eye surgery. "I hope you will all understand," he said at the time. "But I promise I'll be back and firing again few hiccups won't ruin me. I've proved that time and time again."

Smith was a man of his word and marked his much-anticipated return to the stage with a win.

Speaking after the match against Aspinall, the former world number one gave a candid interview with broadcaster Viaplay.

“It's been a long road, it's been a battle,” he said, before being asked why. “Just everything; injuries, life itself," he said. "To get up there, to win that match is a bit emotional and I’m just glad to get over the line.

Touching on his performance, Smith added: “I can't go worse than that. Nathan should have won that. I seen his reaction walking off and then obviously coming upstairs to the practice room, I seen his reaction again.

“He should have won that 5-0, easy. I just hung in there and I got the job done in the end, and I’ll take the win.”

Smith was then asked about his health issues over the last few months and how he has coped. “Yeah, it’s just fighting," he said. "I’ve always been a fighter, so to be back on stage and winning matches, that’s what means the most to me.

"I just want to be competing," he said, becoming emotional. "I’m sick of sitting at home watching people win tournaments and I’m sat at home. It p***** me off. S*** happens, I guess.”

The former world champion continued: “Winning matches, that’s who I’m about, that’s Michael Smith, not sitting at home. Being on big stages listening to the crowds, that’s me.”

Asked if he'd ever considered quitting the sport, Smith was defiant in his response.

"Not once. I think I made the semis of the UK Open with a hole in my leg," he said. “I broke both my hands when I was 19, had casts for five months and then when I got them took off, within two weeks I won my first ProTour at 19. I’m a fighter, that’s it. I’ll be back, don’t worry.”

Michael Smith opens up on debilitating condition that he's been fighting for 'four years'

Last year, Smith revealed that he has been suffering from arthritis in his throwing hand – a problem he has been fighting for three to four years.

In a lengthy Facebook post, he wrote: "I broke both my wrists when I was 19 and now it's catching up with me and now suffering with arthritis to my right hand.

"What this statement means is this is me opening up and letting you all know. I didn't say earlier as I was scared of losing the Premier League or the World Series [not being selected to play in either] but I wasn't picked anyway so why not now."

Smith added that he was due to see a specialist this week to assess his arthritis, which causes pain and inflammation in a joint.

He also revealed that he had been suffering with a 'grade two AC [acromioclavicular] shoulder injury', and had been visiting a physio for two to three days a week.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Smith candidly opened up on how the arthritis condition started and how it affects him both on and off the oche.

"I've had it for a few years now. It was always when it was winter, when it was minus [temperatures] - I thought it was just the cold affecting it," he said.

"But it just keeps getting worse and worse. My wrist has started swelling up, and there's constant pain where I can't bend it. It is getting a bit difficult.

"The specialist said I was restricted a bit with my right wrist, so it wasn't bending as much as it should. I've got an MRI scan and we can go from there and see how it is.

"It doesn't affect the amount of practice but I have to split it up. Normally I'd do four to five hours straight, with no stops. Now I've got to do maybe 20 minutes with a five-minute stop, then half an hour with a 10-minute stop.

"It's just a lot of painkillers, but hopefully the medical team can figure it out. If it's a PRP injection or cortisone, I don't know yet.

"Since Christmas Day I've not been able to function my shoulder probably. That's my fault, that. I've got a grade two joint in my shoulder that's popping out.

"The biggest thing now is being left out of the Premier League - that's the kick up the backside I needed. I took time away because I'd lost two of the finals [World Championship] previously and just wanted to enjoy myself as a world champion. I think that's been a hindrance now, so it's time to work hard again and get back to where I belong."