Monday 18 December 2017 16:25, UK
Two-time world champion Adrian Lewis has opened up about a rollercoaster 2017 that he hopes can end on a high at the World Darts Championship.
Lewis became a father again this year but, away from the oche, suffered with a back injury that cost him the chance to add to his trophy collection.
"My back operation cost me five months of the year, plus more because I couldn't practice," he told Sky Sports.
You can't do much when you're just lying there. It's not the best feeling. But now I'm up and active again.
"I had a couple of months off before my operation. Then two weeks after my operation I played in the Matchplay, and lost in the semis. Then I had three more months off because I had a daughter and didn't want to miss her birth."
Lewis' manger Keith Deller has since admitted there were concerns that Jackpot was dealing with a potential serious illness, thankfully those have been put to one side and the focus is now on a third world title.
But such has been his form, Lewis arrives at Alexandra Palace somewhat under the radar ahead of Tuesday's first-round tie against Alexandr Oreshkin or Kevin Munch.
"You can't do much when you're just lying there," he said. "It's not the best feeling. But now I'm up and active again.
"The day I came out of hospital, we moved house! I got my mate to pick up the keys."
Lewis is famously a back-to-back world champion, lifting the trophy in 2011 and 2012, but has slipped to No 7 in the PDC order of merit and his place in the top 16 is also under threat.
"I've done okay in patches and hit a couple of nine-darters but, in terms of consistency, I haven't had a chance.
"But if I lift the world title next month, it's all forgotten."
The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace continues on Monday from 7pm.
Keep up to date with the news as the PDC celebrates 25 years on Sky Sports. So get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts - don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts.
