De Decker Reflects on Heartbreaking World Championship Loss

Darts player Mike De Decker has revealed that he distanced himself from the sport following his emotional defeat at the PDC World Darts Championship last month, where he lost to David Munyua. The match, which took place at Alexandra Palace, encapsulated a tumultuous year for De Decker, filled with both promising moments and significant challenges.

In an interview with Darts News, De Decker expressed how the match reflected his overall performance throughout the year. “That game kind of summed up my year,” he stated. He had initially taken a commanding lead, going two sets up before anxiety began to impact his game. “It was strange, really – I was 2-0 up and suddenly I felt nervous,” he explained. “And once he got that first set, something in me just went, yeah… you’re going to lose this.” The psychological toll of the match has lingered for De Decker, leading him to avoid watching much of the subsequent championship coverage.

Struggles with Anxiety and Recovery

De Decker admitted that he found it difficult to engage with the sport in the aftermath of his loss. “It hurt too much to watch the Worlds,” he said, explaining that he restricted his exposure to darts-related content on social media platforms. “I’ve been trying to survive Christmas for the last five years and then it’s just not working on that stage and it’s frustrating,” he added, revealing the emotional burden he has experienced.

As the season progressed, De Decker encountered similar feelings of anxiety during other matches. “A couple of times, yes, this year,” he noted, attributing these feelings to a lack of confidence compared to previous years. He explained that switching to a new set of darts has complicated his performance, stating, “Before I changed to Mission, I played with the same set of darts for like eight or nine years.” Adjusting to a new setup proved more challenging than he anticipated.

Aiming for Improvement and Future Goals

On a more positive note, De Decker believes he is making strides in managing his mental health. “I’ve made some steps that I didn’t think I was ever going to do,” he shared. He emphasized that he is in a better place mentally than he was last year and is focused on performing well in upcoming tournaments. “I want to do well in every tournament and I just want to be playing well again,” he stated, highlighting that regaining his confidence is more important than winning titles at this stage.

De Decker has been practicing extensively, often engaging in best-of-19 games where his averages have reached the high 90s and low 100s. “That’s practice – everyone can play well in practice,” he acknowledged, emphasizing the need to translate that performance to the competitive stage in PDC tournaments.

Looking ahead, De Decker has set his sights on competing in the Premier League. “Everyone wants to be in the Premier League, or everyone wants to be in the Premier League just once,” he noted. He recognizes the magnitude of being selected among the top eight players in the world, stating, “It would be a massive, massive thing.” However, he remains realistic about the challenges ahead, acknowledging the need for substantial improvement compared to last year.

As De Decker continues his journey, he remains hopeful that he can overcome the obstacles he has faced and re-establish himself within the sport of darts.