In a landmark moment for the sport, Greaves became the first woman to win a ranking event on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit, according to multiple media outlets. She sealed the title with a dramatic 8-7 victory over Michael Smith, a former world champion, in the Player's Championship 11 final in Milton Keynes. The deciding leg saw Greaves produce a sensational 142 checkout, which drew widespread acclaim from fans and pundits alike.
The victory comes after a tense battle, with the match swinging back and forth before Greaves's decisive leg. This breakthrough is being hailed as a major step forward for women in darts, breaking a barrier that many thought would take longer to fall. Greaves's journey to the top began remarkably early.
She could hit a sixpence with those big brass darts. I am so chuffed for her. I expected her to get this far. It was only a matter of time. It has just happened sooner than expected. I tried to tell her to practice but she hardly ever does. She practices for 15 minutes a day and maybe an hour with a competition coming up. She says 'Dad I have been practising for 12 years'. She is a natural.
According to various reports, she started playing darts at the age of 10, and by 15, she was already defeating established world champions such as Lisa Ashton and Anastasia Dobromyslova. Her rapid progression culminated in earning her PDC tour card in January, paving the way for her historic breakthrough. The young prodigy's success at such an early age drew comparisons to some of the sport's greatest talents.
Off the oche, Greaves is known for her reserved nature. Media reports indicate she kept her darts career a secret from schoolmates until she was selected to represent England. She also tends to avoid television interviews, preferring to let her performances speak, according to media reports.
She only got her tour card in January. She is now playing the best male players in the world. It's incredible.
In a quirky detail, media reports also note that her first professional set of darts was designed by fellow player Mervyn King, a former World Championship finalist. ' Her father, David Greaves, told the Daily Mirror that she is a natural talent who practices for only 15 minutes a day, increasing to an hour before competitions. Her mother, Tracy Greaves, also speaking to the Daily Mirror, expressed astonishment at her daughter's rapid ascent, noting that she only obtained her tour card in January and is now beating top male players.
The parents described her as talkative at home but quiet in public, and that she shunned the spotlight at school. It remains unclear how Greaves developed such a high level of skill with reportedly minimal practice, and her future plans in the sport, including whether she will target more ranking titles or major events, have not been disclosed. The reaction from the broader darts community to her groundbreaking win continues to unfold.