HETA ADMITS PRACTICE OBSESSION WRECKED HIS GAME
30/09/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
DAMON HETA admits his obsession with chasing wins on the practice board is wrecking his game.
‘The Heat’ has been a permanent fixture at the World Grand Prix since 2021 but is still waiting for his first victory after FOUR straight first-round exits.
World No. 11 Heta faces a tough opener against in-form Luke Woodhouse, fresh from his run to the Swiss Darts Trophy final.
Heta fears his relentless graft behind the scenes has only piled on the pressure this season.
He said: “Just before I have been putting in some ridiculous hours of practice more than normal. I’ve done all of that hard work.
“Now I have backed off a little bit. You have to find time for yourself because you can’t always be driven and so obsessive.
“That’s where I have found myself very obsessive and that has been my downfall.
“I’m getting into my own head about not winning because then I will go back to the board and think the answer is put more time on the practice board.”
Aussie thrower Heta is determined to end his barren run at the double-start major in Leicester next week.
He added: “There is no better time to get my first win at the Grand Prix with revenge over Luke Woodhouse.
“It would be absolutely amazing. He is playing some good stuff at the moment he just reached the final.
“I congratulated him with a message but now I am going to have to retract that.
“We will just go hammer and tongs at it. Hopefully I just bring my A-game and things happen for me.”
He continued: “It’s just getting over that line and getting over that hurdle.
“I have got that belief. I’m there but it just seems no one has missed that many darts against me for me to have another crack at it.
“I have had one match dart here or there and that is all that I have been given.
“I’ve just been unlucky or unstuck against somebody who is playing that bit better.
“Fair play and I have to just put it down to myself and try and get over the line.”
The 38-year-old has enjoyed a stellar season on the ProTour after winning Players Championship 13 and 20 this year.
Heta also finished runner-up at the European Open in June but has faltered on the Euro Tour since, failing to go beyond round two in his last three outings.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
