Fallon Sherrock said she was "gobsmacked" after receiving a shock qualifying place for the PDC World Championship and believes having three women play at Ally Pally will boost the female game.
The 28-year-old was nicknamed 'Queen of the Palace' after becoming the first woman to win at the event before reaching the last 32 two years ago. After suffering a first round defeat in last year's event Sherrock faced missing next month's tournament after failing to book a qualifying spot via the Women's Series - with Lisa Ashton and 18-year-old sensation Beau Greaves taking the two places.
Sherrock was shocked by the PDC's decision to grant her a qualifying spot for winning the inaugural Women's World Matchplay title - not known as a qualifying event.
"I was gobsmacked," Sherrock told Sky Sports about the moment her qualifying spot was confirmed. "I was like 'really?!' because when I thought I'd missed out I was so devastated and low.
"Then to get told I was in I was so shocked, and then it was excitement and buzzing. I can't put into words how excited I was."
Sherrock, aged 28, will meet world number 47 Ricky Evans in the World Championship first round with the winner going on to take on 13th seed Joe Cullen in the second round. The tournament begins at the Alexandra Palace on December 15.
The PDC's decision to give Sherrock a reprieve was met by condemnation by darts fans and pundit Wayne Mardle fears a backlash towards the star at Ally Pally. Sherrock, who is ranked eighth in the women's world rankings, has ignored her critics and believes her performance at the World Matchplay deserved a qualifying place.
"It's a PDC title for the women and it deserves a place as well," Sherrock added. "You have to qualify for that event and then to win it you qualify for the Grand Slam as well, so why not qualify for the Worlds with it?
"It's bringing more women into the game and this year we'll see three women at Ally Pally, so it's only going to push the game further. I've stayed off social media and not really listened to any of the comments because people will have their own opinion. I could be the best player in the world, and I'd still get hate or the worst player and still get hate.
"It's one of those where I still think, because I won the Matchplay, it's entitled to a spot because it is a title."
