DOETS INSISTS HE IS ‘NOT CLOSE’ TO LITTLER YET
12/05/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
KEVIN DOETS insists he is still “not close” to the level of Luke Littler despite his stunning breakout campaign.
The Dutchman reached the final of the Austrian Darts Open last weekend before narrowly losing 8-6 to Josh Rock.
‘Hawkeye’ also claimed his maiden ranking crown at Players Championship 13 and now sits just outside the world’s top 32.
But Doets reckons he still has plenty to prove before he can compare himself to the sport’s elite names.
He said: “No, I don’t. Not as big as those guys. First of all, Luke Littler has won two World Championships in a row and he’s number one in the world.
“Wessel Nijman has won six ranking titles this year. So I’m doing well, but I’m not close to them yet.
“I appreciate it and I think it’s an honour to be called in the same group as them, but I’m not there yet. I’m working my way up.”
Doets believes a major title is only a matter of time if he maintains his current level.
He added: “Setting the goal of winning a title this year was a goal that I thought was very realistic, and I achieved that now.
“For me, another realistic goal is to get into the top 24. That’s the most realistic goal I have this year.
“My other goals are, of course, to break into the top 16 and win a major. Everyone wants to win a major.
“And the way that I’m playing now, and the way that I’m hopefully going to play for the rest of my life, I’m going to win a major.”
Doets revealed his sharp improvement on doubles has played a huge role in his recent success.
He explained: “I always have a practice rhythm that I do at home that’s mostly focused on doubles.
“At least the first half-hour or hour is mostly focused on doubles.
“That helps me and it has helped me a lot over the last few months.
“That’s one of the main reasons I’m doing so well right now, because my doubles are just a lot better than they were before.”
The 28-year-old also credits stability away from the oche for helping him produce the best darts of his career.
He continued: “My life has been pretty stable lately.
“I know where I’m going to play, I know when I’m going to play, I know when I’m going to be home and I know when I can practise, how I can practise and what I can practise.
“My life has been pretty stable lately and that’s a big part of becoming what you can be.
“My practice routine has been great lately and that’s a big part of where I am.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
