DIMI IN FLOODS OF TEARS AFTER DARTS BREAK

DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH says he was left in floods of tears after making the heartbreaking decision to step away from darts earlier this year.

The two-time major winner was set to face Jose de Sousa at Players Championship 13 but withdrew from the tournament just minutes before playing.

World No.23 Van den Bergh took a two-month break from the sport in April to prioritise his mental wellbeing.

Van den Bergh admits the decision was one of the hardest moments of his career and left him overcome with emotion as he walked away from the venue.

He told the Tops and Tales podcast: “I cried my eyes out. It was such a hard moment for me to do because I never really wanted to walk away.

“But I needed to walk away so I did and I walked up to Keith Bisby and said, ‘Look guys, this might be a shocker, but can you pull me out of the tournament?’”

The Belgian revealed officials immediately rallied around him.

He added: “When I did, they straight away asked me if I was okay and if there was anything they could do for me, they told me to let them know.

“I had so much support and respect, and they respected my choice as well.

“So a massive thank you to you guys, because you were brilliant.

“But I was in tears, and I cried my eyes out as well when I walked outside.

“I’m not afraid to have emotions. I’m not afraid to tell him or show him that this is the real me.

“Whoever thinks I am soft, that is okay. I think I am a man by showing my emotions.

“That is what I did there. I needed to step back and cry my eyes out because it was more suffering than enjoying, and darts should be enjoyment.”

Van den Bergh has endured a difficult season, making just one ProTour quarter-final at Players Championship 34.

‘The Dreammaker’ missed the World Grand Prix, World Matchplay, Grand Slam, and Players Championship Finals as his form dipped sharply.

The 31-year-old’s struggles continued at the World Championship, where he crashed out in the opening round after a 3–0 defeat to Darren Beveridge, producing an average of just 80.64 in the match.

Image by Taylor Lanning.