Ricky Evans may be known for memorable walk-ons, daft masks, dance moves and throwing at a mind-boggling pace, but he is capable of some very serious darts and intends to bring them to Alexandra Palace this year.
Rapid Ricky has not had the best year of his career so far and admits that he is heading to the World Championship this month searching for some consistency.
What he is not going to do is turn his back on his blistering pace, though, saying that he has tried to slow down but it is just not his him and the gunslinger will be sticking to his guns.
‘If the darts are going well I’m more than capable of doing anything in this game, but there’s so much consistency I haven’t got at the minute. I’m a streaky player,’ Evans told Metro.co.uk. ‘If I’m good I’m very good, but if I’m not I lose too many silly games.
‘I tried to slow down, but I don’t think it’s working personally. I think I need to be my rat-a-tat-tat self.
‘People always say I need to slow down, it’s the first question people normally ask: have you not thought about slowing down? But I think, it’s got me this far, I probably should stick to what I’m good at.
‘It’s just not me. I’ve been the same with every game I’ve played; football, pool, I see things and hit it, that’s me. I’m Rapid for a reason.
‘It’s not a comfortable hold if I’m holding the dart for an extra split second, I don’t really understand it. It’s in the head, this game is so much in the head, it’s mental.’
Evans has had some memorable wins on the Alexandra Palace stage in the past, right back to beating Ronnie Baxter in 2014, but most notably bouncing back two sets behind to beat Simon Whitlock in ’16.
He can’t wait to get on the north London stage again, not just to play in the World Championship, but to unleash the latest memorable walk-on of his career, which may well be inspired by his dad. The man who is his hero and the driving force behind his life in darts.
‘I class myself as a big stage player, if you can’t get up for this time of year there’s no point even playing,’ he said.
‘I always bring my dad to Ally Pally. My mum and sister watch at home because they’re too nervous to come, but my dad’s literally me in 30 years so it’s nice having him there.
‘He’s the reason I play, he was a county legend round Northants, basically I just wanted to be him.
‘He’s the reason I do the silly masks and silly walk-ons, he’s just me but older. We’ve got a big storage unit in the darts room full of masks and stuff. If I ever get to the Premier League I want to wear a different mask each week to suit where we are. It’s just a bit of humour. There might be a Christmas one at the Worlds.
‘It gets the crowd on your side a bit. If it makes people laugh then I’m doing the right thing because it’s an entertainment game. If people are smiling and remember they enjoyed watching that Ricky Evans, that’s what it’s about, and much better if the darts back it up.’
Evans really is constant entertainment during a stage match, not just with the walk-ons and the rapid arrows, but thanks to the unique celebrations during and after matches.
The 32-year-old confirms that these are in no way contrived and he is almost possessed by the moment when he gets carried away by success on the oche.
‘Literally I have no idea what I’m doing, it’s just what comes to me, with the adrenaline and everything,’ he said.
‘There’s nothing better than winning a game of darts, in a pub, in a local league, but to do it on TV, you’ve got all your mates, family, possibly new fans watching. I get such a buzz out of that. I don’t know what happens, I just do movements I didn’t know I could do.
‘One day I’m going to do a back flip or something and I’ll not know how. It’s the adrenaline after a win, it’s like no other. I wish I did plan it because then I’d understand it.’
There is never a shortage of attention on an Evans match but there will be plenty more than usual at the World Championship this year as he is taking on Fallon Sherrock in round one.
The Queen of the Palace attracts plenty of focus herself and even Evans, usually the life and soul of the party, is a little bit worried about how the crowd may react and how he will handle it.
‘I wasn’t too fussed about the draw. The whole pantomime I’m a little bit anxious about,’ he said. ‘But like I said about my walk-on, hopefully that’ll get a few on my side. I’ll respect her as a dart player, do what I’d do against any player and let my darts do the talking. Hopefully keep the jeers and whistles quiet.
‘I’ve never experienced any booing before. The odd whistle in a bit local league derby, but not on that scale. I don’t know how I’ll handle it, I might enjoy it. If I can win a game like that in that situation you can probably win anything.
‘I just need to do my thing and let my darts fly. It’s going to be an entertaining game. I’m looking forward to it and can’t wait to see what happens. I’ve waited all year to be here and don’t want to fall at the first hurdle. I want a big run in this event because I know I’ve got the game to do that.
‘A lot of people have said to me, “it’s a hard game for you isn’t it?” But I’ve said, “well, it’s a hard game for her!”
‘I’m the professional, I’m probably the favourite. I can’t think she’s happy with the draw. If she wins she’s got to throw better darts than me, it’s that simple really.’
Evans is focussing on Fallon for now, but he has lofty expectations at the World Championship, wondering why you would be turning up at Ally Pally if you didn’t fancy going home with the Sid Waddell Trophy.
‘You have to, there’s no point going there to lose, you have to believe,’ he said. ‘Most players have dreamt of winning the Worlds. Why not this year? People have won it in the past that I’ve beat. Why not?
‘There’s no point going to Ally Pally to pick up prize money, have a little run, I’m going to win it. Why not make my first ever win a major?’
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