After losing in the first round of the World Masters on Thursday night to Danny Noppert, the 2023 world champion, currently ranked 16th in the world, posted a message on his X account revealing the condition and an ongoing battle with a shoulder injury.

Smith wrote that he feels like it needed to be said as he is annoyed seeing comments that he is finished and more, adding that he had grade two AC, an acromioclavicular shoulder injury in the last six weeks and he is seeking physio every two-three days to help that but for three-four years he has been fighting something else.

Smith won the World Darts Championship against Michael van Gerwen in an incredible 2023 final which included the 34-year-old – whose nickname is ‘Bully Boy’ – landing a nine-dart finish.

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But he has not progressed beyond the fourth round at Alexandra Palace in either of the past two years, while he will not feature in this year’s Premier League – where he was a semi-finalist last year – for the first time since 2021.

According to Smith, he didn’t speak out earlier as he was scared of losing the Prem or losing the World Series but he wasn’t picked.

Smith said he would provide a further update after seeing a specialist next week.

The 2023 world champion promises to fight back to form he has never given up or stopped from any pain.