Jonny Clayton's Remarkable Comeback After Personal Tragedy at Ally Pally
Jonny Clayton’s journey through the PDC World Championship has been nothing short of inspiring. The Welsh darts star, known for his resilience and tenacity, faced an incredibly tough period in his life, which nearly caused him to walk away from the sport entirely. However, after overcoming personal grief, Clayton has not only managed to return to form but is also making a strong push towards a deeper run at Alexandra Palace.
In December 2024, Jonny Clayton secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Daryl Gurney, advancing to the last 16 of the World Championship. But what makes this win particularly poignant is the emotional journey Clayton has endured. Just over a year ago, in July 2023, his father, John, passed away suddenly, leaving the 50-year-old struggling with overwhelming grief. It was a tragedy that nearly shattered his passion for darts.
Reflecting on that time, Clayton admitted, “It was over, I won’t lie to you. I had no interest, I didn’t want to play the game, I didn’t want to travel. It meant nothing to me.” The loss of his father, who had been a driving force behind his career, left Clayton questioning everything. “Darts is my hobby. For some of these youngsters, it’s their job, but this has always been my hobby,” he said, revealing how deeply his father’s death affected him.
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During the time leading up to the World Series, when many of his colleagues were jetting off to competitions, Clayton found himself at home, dealing with his grief. “The guys were flying to Australia or New Zealand, and I lost my dad on the morning of that flight. At that time, the guys were away for three weeks, and being at home gave me too much time to think,” he explained. It was a period when Clayton seriously considered quitting darts for good.
However, as time passed, Clayton began to find new strength. “When you have a family looking up at you, and friends that believe in you, it means a lot,” he said. This support from his loved ones and his own determination pushed him to give darts another chance. “You are playing a hobby you are good at - give it another go,” he shared. This renewed sense of purpose helped him start winning again, including a ProTour victory and several strong performances in other tournaments.
Despite his achievements, Clayton remains humble and acknowledges that his best form has been elusive at times. Even in his latest victory over Gurney, he admitted that his performance wasn’t perfect. “At 3-3, the heart starts to beat big time, and you over-think things. That was not pretty. I need to lift my game,” he confessed.
Clayton’s focus now is on his family. “I want to win it for my wife and kids,” he said, acknowledging that while darts is still a hobby for him, his family’s support makes it all the more meaningful. Looking ahead, Clayton is aware of the younger generation of players rising through the ranks, but he’s determined to give it his all while he still can. "These youngsters have a long time ahead of them. I’m trying to do as good as I can now because my time is running out."
Jonny Clayton’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of family support. After nearly walking away from the sport, he’s back on the oche, playing for something bigger than himself, and showing that no matter the obstacles, it’s never too late to find a reason to keep going.
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