PIETRECZKO OPENS UP ON DARTITIS BATTLE AFTER RIESA RUN
25/05/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
TEARFUL Ricardo Pietreczko admitted he has been trying to “trick” his own head after months of worrying struggles.
The German has battled dartitis in recent months, regularly averaging under 70 and sparking fresh concern after retiring from his opening match at Players Championship 14.
Pietreczko has additionally failed to reach a single ProTour quarter-final this season.
But Pikachu fought back tears after reaching the third round of the International Darts Open in Riesa on Sunday.
Pietreczko beat Maik Kuivenhoven and Danny Noppert before eventually losing 6-4 to Ross Smith despite averaging a steady 91.78.
After finally showing signs of recovery in Riesa, the visibly emotional star admitted just how much the performances meant to him.
He said: “A really, really great improvement.
“I think you can also see what this means to me right now, after the difficult… oh God…
“I think people know everything I have been through recently.
“And this win is really just for me to show that I am here, and for the World Cup I will definitely be fit.”
Pietreczko’s throwing action has also looked dramatically different in recent weeks, with many fans questioning the unusual movement before release.
The 31-year-old admitted he has deliberately altered his technique in an attempt to overcome the mental battle affecting his game.
He added: “I am trying a little bit at the moment to trick my head with this movement, and it is working.
“I am trying to get back to my throw and, yes, I am doing my best to get back to my old strengths.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
