Beau Greaves: Rise of darts star, who beat Luke Littler
Greaves started playing with his older brother Taylor, who had a dartboard in his bedroom, and he quickly showed his talent for the game.
“When he was 11 he went to Jersey with his mum and I remember him beating top actress Lisa Ashton and me,” Hedman told BBC Sport.
“Even then I knew he was a very special person.”
Hedman defeated Aaron Turner at the 2005 UK Open to become the first woman to beat a man in a televised major, and Greaves said she could compete at the highest level.
“I believe Beau will do some damage. Some men don’t like to play women even in this day and age because there is more pressure,” he said.
“Time will tell if he can win one of the big tournaments. He has the game to beat them.
“And she’s a very sweet, down-to-earth lady from a very sweet family. You couldn’t find a nicer young man.”
“There will always be backbiting and jealousy in darts but what you see from Beau is what you get and no matter who you are, he has time for everyone.”
World number one Humphries was among those praising Greaves, who made history by becoming the first woman to reach the fourth round of the UK Open in February, beating Greaves 7-5 before losing 10-7.
“I think he’s a great player and he deserves it,” Humphries said of his run into Sunday’s World Grand Prix final. “I predict you’ll improve by playing with this [PDC Pro Tour].
“He’s been a really great player in the secondary rounds this year. He’s good in the challenge round, he’s good in the development round, and he’ll be a real threat to all the players in the future. Not just for me, but for everyone.”
“I think he will do really well. If he is comfortable and there is no pressure on his shoulders, then yes, I believe he will definitely be in the top 64 in two years.”
Greaves will face Dutch champion Gian van Veen in the youth final in Minehead in November.
The next chapter of Greaves v Littler could potentially also come at next month’s Grand Slam in Wolverhampton.
And then who knows? She could become the second woman to win major matches at Ally Pally, after Fallon Sherrock in 2019.
