Dirk van Duijvenbode he didn’t have the easiest period in his career. The 32-year-old Dutchman has been limping with a shoulder problem for a long time, but showed signs of improvement at the previous Players Championship finals and reached the semi-finals.
Van Duijvenbode ultimately lost this semi-final to Luke Humphries. “But I really should have won it, I was very disappointed afterwards,” said “Aubergenius”. Sportnieuws.nl. “On the other hand, I couldn’t dwell on it too long either, after all, the World Darts Championships are just around the corner.”
“I didn’t look back at that match or anything, it doesn’t make sense. I was especially disappointed that I wasn’t in top shape. I didn’t sleep well several nights in a row and it was really bothering me, but in the end I did everything I could this weekend, but sometimes you’re just unlucky. I don’t feel like talking about it anymore. I’ve already told my story and you hope that’s the end of it, well that’s obviously how the media works.”
Dirk van Duijvenbode in action at the previous Players Championship finals
World Darts Championships
Van Duijvenbode enters this year’s World Darts Championships as the 25th leader of the series. On Sunday, December 22, he will face the winner of the first round match between Madars Razma and Christian Kista in his opening match. “I would prefer to play against Kist,” said Van Duijvenbode. “He throws at the same pace all the time, and with Razma it could go either way.”
Van Duijvenbode himself followed the draw, but James Wade noted that he still did not know who he would play against. “Well, you will find out about this draw anyway, and when you enter Alexandra Palace. “I don’t know if it’s like that with Wade, maybe it’s more of a superstition.”
This year, a record number of 15 Dutch players are taking part in the World Darts Championships. Who does Van Duijvenbode think will go far? “I assume that some Dutch players will definitely get into the fourth round, but who they will be is difficult to predict,” he said.
