I’M READY TO TAKE POWER Lewis tells pal Taylor his reign as No.1 is over
PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS
ADRIAN LEWIS has warned pal Phil Taylor that he’s ready to topple him as world No.1 this year.
The Stoke pair head the PDC Order of Merit, which is based on prize money over two years.
But despite back-toback world titles, Lewis trails “The Power” by more than £100,000.
Lewis is living out of a suitcase in his quest – and success at this summer’s UK Open and World Matchplay could see him smash his way to the summit.
“I have dreamed of these days right now,” said Lewis.
“It shows that my dedication is paying off and my ambition now is to be number one in the world rankings by the end of 2012.”
Since his Ally Pally glory last month, Lewis has been on the road non-stop and spent just a handful of nights at home.
Now in his eighth professional season, 27-year-old Lewis was persuaded to take up darts by his mum Yvonne after having football trials with Crewe Alexandra.
He added: “It is constant and I am absolutely knackered, but I am not moaning because it means I am doing well and getting paid.
“I seem to go away every Wednesday for the Premier League, then have a weekend tournament and get back home on a Monday.
“The first four months this year are like that and then it’s tournaments every weekend. “I also have to find time for exhibitions in the week.
“If it is like that for years I’ll be happy, because it means I am doing well and getting the rewards.”
Lewis faces Raymond van Barneveld on week two of the Mccoy’s Premier League in Aberdeen on Thursday.
The Dutchman drew with Aussie Simon Whitlock in the opening fixtures, but suggested he is returning to form by averaging 102.58.
Lewis also finished 7-7 in a memorable game against Taylor, who fought back from 6-1 down.
“Barney” almost quit in December after his World Championships humiliation by James Richardson.
But Lewis insists: “Barney is going to come back to his best.
“He is playing a lot more tournaments and in the next six months he will really sharpen up.”