HUYBRECHTS: WRIGHT STRUGGLES ARE DEVASTATING
05/04/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
KIM HUYBRECHTS admits it is “devastating” to see Peter Wright struggle on the big stage.
‘Snakebite’ averaged just 85 and failed to hit a single 180 as he slipped to a 6-3 defeat against the Belgian in round one of the German Darts Grand Prix.
The two-time world champion has endured a difficult run at the oche, missing the opening three European Tour events of the season and slipping outside the world’s top 32.
Huybrechts revealed the match was emotionally draining given his respect for one of the sport’s greats.
He said: “Yeah, it wasn’t that good, to be honest. But I have so much respect for Peter.
“To see him struggle like this, it hurts a lot because I’ve been in that position myself.
“I haven’t had the same career as him, he’s absolutely one of the legends. But to see him struggle like this… for a darts player’s heart, that’s devastating.
“It was a very hard game emotionally.”
World No.59 Huybrechts has made a steady start to the campaign, reaching the last 16 at two ProTour events and the third round of the Belgian Darts Open.
But Huybrechts was still left frustrated with his own performance, particularly given the work he has been putting in with coach Erik Clarys.
He added: “Yeah, he’s probably going to be angry with me today because I didn’t perform that well. I could see him shaking his head. So yeah, he won’t be happy.
“But it was a mental game. I prepared really well, I was hungry, but hungry with respect for Peter Wright. And I know he’s struggling.
“To be honest, I was thinking if I play well, I’m going to win. But I wanted to show him respect, and sometimes that respect can show weakness as well. That’s something you have to manage.”
Huybrechts returns to action in round two at the Kulturhalle Zenith and will face Luke Woodhouse.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
