Adrian Lewis, the two-time world champion, is poised to make his comeback to competitive darts at the end of August, after a two-year break from the sport. While his stated aim is primarily to “enjoy it”, the competitive fire within him remains very much alive.
The 40-year-old, affectionately known as “Jackpot”, has revealed that he’s been putting in the hours during his time away, dedicating himself to intensive practice. “I’ve been practising, well, at least three hours a day at the moment, so I am on it,” he confirmed.
Darting Dilemmas: A Matter of Millimetres
However, Lewis faces a crucial decision regarding his equipment. He explained, “The issue I’ve got at the minute is my sponsor sent me a couple of sets of darts in different lengths, but I’m throwing well with both! I’m just in the process of nailing down which ones I’m going to use. They are similar to what I used in terms of the pencil shape, but they are two different lengths. One’s a lot shorter than the other barrel, so I’m just tinkering at the minute.”
The length and style of a dart can significantly impact a player’s throw and accuracy. Some players, like Luke Littler, favour unusually long points, which aid in grouping darts together on the board.
A New Generation of Stars
During Lewis’s absence, new stars have emerged in the darting world, most notably Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. Humphries, the current world number one, has even expressed admiration for Lewis, stating that “Jackpot” was his “favourite” player and that he dreamed of facing his childhood idol in a final.
When asked about the possibility of such a rivalry, Lewis responded cautiously, “Who knows what the future’s going to bring? I’ve been in a lot of exhibitions with the top 10 in the world, week in, week out, and I’m beating them all the time. So it isn’t like my game’s not there. At the minute, it’s the two Lukes obviously dominating everything and they’ve been fantastic. They’re both a credit to the sport and a credit to themselves. If I can get a rivalry going with one of them two in the future, who knows?”
Immediate Focus: The MODUS Super Series
Before any potential showdown with the “two Lukes”, Lewis is focusing on his upcoming participation in the MODUS Super Series International Pairs, scheduled from August 25th to 30th. He will be partnering with Steve Beaton. The event also features a strong lineup of international players, including Jeff Smith from Canada, Dawson Murschell, Devon Petersen from South Africa, Rene Eidams from Germany, and Andreas Harrysson from Sweden. Adding to the excitement, the legendary 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor will be part of the presentation team on Finals Night.
Lewis exuded confidence in his partnership with Beaton, stating: “The experience that Steve’s got alone, never mind myself. I think that’ll put us in good stead. And you know, I’m really looking forward to it. We’ve got a great chance.”
A Reunion with “The Power”
The MODUS Super Series will also mark a reunion between Lewis and Phil Taylor. The pair have a complex history, marked by both success and occasional friction. Together, they won four World Cup titles for England, forging a unique and often turbulent relationship.
Lewis anticipates some playful banter from Taylor, who will be providing commentary during the event. “He’ll probably be commentating on our game, I should have thought. I can just remember him telling me off all the time when we were playing in the PDC last, so that’ll be running through my mind I think!” he joked.
Short-Term Goals and Long-Term Ambitions
While a potential rivalry with Littler or Humphries may be on the horizon, Lewis insists his immediate priority is to enjoy his return to the oche. “The priority has just got to be, first off and enjoy it. Obviously, I’m playing pairs with Stevie Beaton,” Lewis explained. “That’s totally different than playing singles, you’re playing for yourself. So it’s going to be quite tough until it’s all settled down a bit, but I am really looking forward to it.”
Looking further ahead, Lewis hasn’t ruled out a return to the pinnacle of the sport. “If I decide to go to Q school in January, there’s no reason I couldn’t make the World Championships the following year [2026],” he stated. “I’ll just focus on having a good year, really. Keep practising hard to keep dedicated, and just see where it takes me.”
For now, Lewis’s focus is clear: to embrace the moment, rediscover his rhythm, and reignite his darting career. Whether he returns with a bang or takes a more measured approach remains to be seen, but his comeback is sure to be closely watched by fans around the world.
His journey back to the oche begins live between August 25th and 30th.