VAN VEEN: I’M DONE USING KIDNEY STONES AS AN EXCUSE

GIAN VAN VEEN insists he is done blaming kidney stones for his dip in form.

The world No3 admits his struggles are down to confidence and the weight of expectation rather than the health scare that disrupted his season.

Van Veen, 24, enjoyed a sensational start to the year by reaching the World Championship final and the World Masters semi-finals.

But the Dutchman has found life tougher since finishing seventh in the Premier League and crashing out in the second round of four of his last six Euro Tour events.

The Giant underwent surgery for kidney stones in March but says it is time to stop pointing to that as the reason for his results.

He said: “I don’t think it’s just that but I don’t think it helped.

“I'm done with giving that [kidney stones] as an excuse right now.

“I'm fully recovered, it's not any health issues. I think it's just a busy schedule, playing more games, losing more games then as a result your confidence gets lower.

“It’s mainly because of that. For me not much has changed over the past 12 months as in who I am and what I am capable of on the dartboard.

“But people expect more of you. You are not the No20 in the world anymore you are No3 in the world.”

Van Veen begins his quest for a second major title on Sunday when he takes on Krzysztof Ratajski in round one at the World Matchplay.

He added: “For example if I played Krzysztof Ratajski in the first round last year you can lose that game.

“Now everyone expects you to win that game [vs Ratajski] and for me it's different to cope with those expectations.

“It’s not that I have put on 10 points on my average over the last year. I think that was a big learning curve.

“I am dealing with that way better than I was a couple of weeks ago. My performances are better so the only way is up from here.”

Van Veen admits his rise up the Order of Merit has come quicker than expected but insists his current performances do not justify talk of climbing even higher.

He continued: “With every young player, they get overshadowed by [Luke] Littler right now, but I've always said I don't mind that at all.

“I think the world rankings are heavily influenced by the World Championship. That is why I am up to world No.3.

“But if you've seen my stats from 2025, I probably should be up there.

“But in all fairness, right now I'm not playing like the world No.3 and if Luke Humphries is not going to defend a whole lot of money then I'll be looking up to world No.2.

“That is not the way I am playing. I am not the second-best player in the world right now. I just need to keep focusing on my own stuff.

“I am really happy with my rise over the last 12 months and I didn’t expect it to happen this quickly.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning