One Last Dance…for now: Fallon Sherrock chases Women’s World Matchplay crown as 2026 hiatus looms
Fallon Sherrock, the trailblazing “Queen of the Palace,” is gearing up for what could be her final major hurrah at the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay, set for July 27 at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. The 31-year-old English darts star, who made history as the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Championship in 2019, is aiming to reclaim the title she won in the tournament’s inaugural 2022 edition, defeating Aileen de Graaf 6-3. With a planned hiatus in 2026 to address ongoing health concerns, particularly kidney issues, Sherrock is determined to “go out on a high,” as she told *Sky Sports* ahead of the event.
Sherrock, seeded third in the eight-player field based on the PDC Women’s Series Order of Merit, faces a tough opening clash against Gemma Hayter. Her recent form has been solid, with two Women’s Series titles in 2025, but she acknowledges the competition’s growing strength, noting, “The quality of women’s darts is increasing each year.” Having reached the 2024 final only to lose 6-3 to Beau Greaves, the two-time defending champion and top seed, Sherrock is motivated to add a second Matchplay crown to her resume, which also includes 19 Women’s Series titles. A win would secure her a spot in the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts and the 2025/26 World Championship, offering a fitting capstone before her break.
Her health-driven decision to step back in 2026 stems from years of managing kidney problems, which she says have impacted her performance. “I need to sort myself out, get myself well,” she explained to *Online Darts*, adding that the hiatus will help her return stronger. Sherrock plans to compete in as many events as possible this year, targeting a “bang” finish, though she’ll need to overcome Greaves, who has won 10 Women’s Series titles in 2025, and Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the second seed, to lift the £10,000 top prize.
Fans are rallying behind Sherrock’s quest for a fairy-tale ending, with sentiment on social platforms reflecting admiration for her resilience. As she prepares for this “last dance” for now, the Winter Gardens stage awaits, where she hopes to etch her name back into darts history before stepping away to heal.
