Fallon Sherrock, the trailblazing “Queen of the Palace” who made history in 2019, recently faced a setback by not securing a PDC Tour Card for 2026. However, far from being a defeat, this period is viewed as a crucial rebuilding phase. Darts expert Laura Turner suggests that Sherrock’s ongoing health battles, coupled with the rising star of Beau Greaves, could actually alleviate pressure and allow Fallon to refocus on her game, potentially leading to a powerful comeback.
The Darts Lottery: Q-School’s Unforgiving Nature
For Fallon Sherrock, the darts world’s history-maker who shattered barriers at the 2019 World Championship, the recent Q-School proved to be a challenging hurdle. Despite her iconic status, she failed to secure a coveted PDC Tour Card for 2026. Sky Sports Darts’ expert Laura Turner explains that Q-School is often described as a “lottery”.
- Unranked Event: Unlike major tournaments, Q-School is not based on rankings, meaning anyone can draw anyone. This makes the competition incredibly unpredictable and often comes down to the luck of the draw.
- Tough Competition: Sherrock faced formidable opponents, including Steve Lennon, who himself is a recent tour player. Many other big names, like Andreas Harrysson and darts veteran Steve Beaton, also missed out, highlighting the immense difficulty of the event.
While the outcome was disappointing, Fallon’s immediate response has been positive. She’s already back on the oche at the Modus Super Series, demonstrating a clear determination to bounce back quickly rather than dwelling on the results.
Beyond the Bullseye: Fallon’s Personal Battles
What many fans don’t see are the significant challenges players often face away from the darts board. For Fallon Sherrock, her journey has been particularly complex due to ongoing health issues, specifically kidney disease.
These health struggles have had a profound impact:
- Restricted Opportunities: Her condition has often limited her ability to participate in as many events as she’d like.
- Impaired Practice: Being less than 100% fit or experiencing fatigue directly affects the time and intensity she can dedicate to practice.
- Demanding Schedule: Events like the PDC Women’s Series and Challenge Tour are physically and mentally exhausting, involving long, consecutive days of play – a significant drain when dealing with health concerns.
Turner emphasizes that such personal battles inevitably have a “knock-on effect” on performance, leading to a lack of match sharpness and confidence in crucial moments. The good news is that Sherrock has received positive updates regarding her health this year, which she hopes will allow her to dedicate more time to practice and rebuild her game in 2026.
A Strategic Retreat: Rebuilding and Refocusing
With the Tour Card out of reach for now, Fallon Sherrock has a clear path forward: the Challenge Tour. This offers a valuable opportunity to regain form and confidence.
Laura Turner believes this period is crucial for Sherrock to:
- Rebuild her game: Focus on consistent practice and honing her skills.
- Regain Match Sharpness: Play more competitive games to get back into the rhythm of high-pressure darts.
- Prioritize Health: Leverage her positive health news to maximize practice without overexertion.
Sharing the Spotlight: A Potential Advantage?
Since her groundbreaking performance at the 2019 World Championship, Fallon has carried an immense “weight of expectation”. She became the face of women’s darts, a trailblazer constantly in the spotlight.
However, the darts landscape is evolving. With the rise of other talents like Beau Greaves, who will be on the PDC Tour in 2026, the spotlight is beginning to be shared. Turner suggests this could be a significant benefit for Fallon:
- Reduced Pressure: With less singular focus on her, Fallon might feel less external pressure, allowing her to play more freely.
- Focus on the Game: The reduced media attention and “noise” away from the oche could enable her to concentrate purely on her darts.
Fallon herself has often expressed a desire to “go under the radar”, and this shift in attention could provide exactly that, creating an environment where she can quietly work on getting back to her peak.
The Comeback Blueprint: Back to the Practice Board
While Laura Turner modestly claims not to be the best person to advise Fallon, her message is clear and echoes Fallon’s own past strategies: “hitting that practice board.”
At her peak, Fallon was renowned for her exceptional finishing, particularly her doubles. Her confidence in scoring was always high, but it was the precision on the doubles that sealed her historic victories.
The key to her resurgence, therefore, lies in:
- Intensive Practice: Dedicating significant time to refining her technique.
- Mastering Doubles: Re-establishing the pinpoint accuracy on her finishes.
Laura Turner is highly optimistic, stating, “If we’ve got that 2019 version or even a better version of Fallon Sherrock that we can get back into the game, then it’s always a positive. I’ve got no doubt that she will get back up to those kind of levels.” The darts world eagerly awaits the return of a fully re-energized Fallon Sherrock.
Source: Based on an article from Sky Sports – Sports News, Transfers, Scores | Watch Live Sport.
