A biography for Adrian Lewishasn’t been written yet.
“I am the best in the world.”
“To tell you the truth I thought I was going to be in the building trade, I worked in a builders' merchants in Stoke.”
“After school I went to work at a builders' merchant in Stoke. After we finished on a Friday, it was down to the Duke of York for a drink with my mates and a game of darts. Unfortunately for them I had a natural talent and nobody could beat me.”
“I know what to expect from the crowd and enjoy playing in front of the big crowds.”
“I'm fed up of hearing that Adrian Lewis is so naturally talented blah blah blah. I'd rather hear that I'm winning.”
“The best mark of a player is to beat him over a long distance.”
“I need it to be do or die to really get focused.”
“I was in Las Vegas, playing on the fruit machines. I was only 20 at the time and I won the jackpot of $72,000, of which I couldn't claim.”
“If you can beat Phil Taylor in the longer format you can beat anyone.”
“I know people say that we are a load of beer drinkers but we are far more professional these days. These critics should come and have a go at playing darts if they think it is so easy.”
“It was very hard when the newspapers were chasing me. It was also very weird. I know I'd just become world champion but shouldn't they be following someone who has done something wrong?”
“The majority of players are serious about being fitter. They are drinking diet coke instead of lager in the practice room and if I'm going to stay ahead, that's what I'll have to do.”
“The guys in the Premier League are about the 10 best in the world and that is what makes the event so special.”
“When I play under bright lights on TV, the reflection off the dart barrel could be distracting. It's not high-tech stuff but I use the flame from the gas cooker at home to blacken the metal and dull them.”
“I was a promising keeper as a kid and, at 15 and 16, was on the books of Crewe Alexandra.”
“I don't mind being busy.”
“I have the game for the pressure matches and now I just have to be consistent.”
“Sometimes we complain about being on the road all the time, from tournaments to exhibitions and sponsors' appearances, but really it's a doddle.”
“Because we're playing tournaments week in and week out I'd think to myself, 'What's the point in practising?' You have no down time to yourself and you're looking for some to spend with your family and friends. But I've now realised that with the game so cut-throat and standards going up every week, it doesn't work.”
“I'm working really hard on my practice routine which I'm really enjoying and I'm constantly trying to improve with the help of Target Darts.”