Adrian Lewis Faces Crossroads as He Contemplates Darts Return

Adrian Lewis, a two-time world champion in darts, has opened up about his current situation as he considers a return to professional competitions. The 40-year-old, known by his nickname “Jackpot,” has taken a step back from the sport for the past 26 months, primarily due to personal challenges, including his wife’s serious health condition.

In a recent appearance on the Tops and Tales podcast, Lewis revealed that his wife, Sarah, suffers from an incurable kidney disease, which has required significant time spent in hospitals. He also mentioned the challenges of caring for their daughter, who has both autism and ADHD. Lewis described the emotional toll of balancing family responsibilities with his professional aspirations: “She’s still a diamond,” he said of his daughter, emphasizing the family’s strength amidst their struggles.

Lewis’s Tour Card, which allows him to compete in PDC events, expired at the end of 2024. To regain his place on the ProTour, he would need to return to Q-School, a qualifying event for players seeking to earn their Tour Cards. Despite the hurdles, Lewis is committed to ensuring he is fully prepared before making any decisions. He stated, “I want to make sure I’m 100 percent ready, mentally right and just go at it all guns blazing.”

The darts star had a prolific career from 2004 to 2024, during which he became a back-to-back world champion in 2011 and 2012, and secured a third major title at the 2013 European Championship. Reflecting on his career, Lewis has expressed the emotional rollercoaster that comes with competing at the highest levels.

Earlier this year, Lewis shared with The Guardian the mental strain he experienced while performing under pressure. He described the intense highs of competition and the subsequent lows when returning home, stating, “You’re on such a high and then when you come back home, you go low. You’re constantly picking yourself up and you haven’t really got time to enjoy anything.”

As he navigates this challenging period, Lewis acknowledges that he is at a crossroads in his career. The decision to return to professional darts hinges on his ability to balance personal obligations with competitive aspirations. “I’ll never write it off and say I’m never going back to the PDC because that would be my aim again,” he remarked, indicating that he remains hopeful about his future in the sport.

For Lewis, the path forward involves careful consideration of his mental and emotional readiness. As January approaches, he will continue to evaluate his position and the possibility of rejoining the professional darts circuit.