SPRINGER OPENS UP ON WORLDS HEARTBREAK

NIKO SPRINGER has admitted the death of his dog played a part in his first-round exit at the World Championship.

World No54 Springer had a brilliant 2025 campaign where he picked up a maiden Euro Tour title at the Hungarian Darts Trophy.

But the German thrower suffered a major upset after losing 3-1 to Australian qualifier Joe Comito in Alexandre Palace.

‘Meenzer Bub’ revealed the disappointment lingered into the new year, leaving him struggling to regain momentum.

He told Wiesbadener Kurier: “The start of the new year was indeed a bit sluggish.

“After the Worlds I was in a small slump.

“Of course it was a shock. The preparation for the Worlds was actually quite okay.

“My goal was clear: survive the first round. That didn’t happen.

“I didn’t want anything to do with darts for a bit and didn’t touch the darts for seven, eight days.

“But the truth is that my head also wasn’t one hundred percent in it.

“An hour before the game I spoke with my manager Michael Gschwindt about my deceased dog.

“That hit me more than I thought. Not consciously, but subconsciously it definitely played a role. That’s no excuse, though.”

In an attempt to switch off, Springer travelled to France with his girlfriend shortly after the tournament, but the break did not go as planned.

He added: “I fell ill there, but I’m fit again now and mainly looking ahead to 2026.”

Springer also reckons the pressure got to him, with expectations sky-high ahead of his opening match.

He continued: “It already wasn’t going well in the practice room. And on top of that, everyone assumed I would win.

“I was completely overwhelmed. I didn’t recognize that in myself and I hope never to experience it again.

“I tried a lot, but the whole time I felt: this isn’t happening today.

“When you get a favorable draw at the biggest tournament and go out like that, it really hurts a lot.”

The 25-year-old is now hoping to put a tough chapter behind him and rebuild ahead of the upcoming season.

He explained: “I’m training hard again with my brother Felix and have analyzed a lot of details.

“My scoring was better then. Right now I’m happy with where I am.

“My manager walked in and said, ‘Niko, you’re smiling again.’ That gives me courage.

“The main thing will be stability, especially on the floor.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.