WADE LEFT EMBARRASSED BY GRAND SLAM STRUGGLES

JAMES WADE has admitted he was left “embarrassed” by his Grand Slam of Darts performance. 

‘The Machine’ suffered his first group-stage exit since 2012, losing to Stefan Bellmont and Gerwyn Price before salvaging a final win over Ricky Evans. 

Aldershot slinger Wade, who has enjoyed a superb 2025 season reaching back-to-back major finals at the UK Open and World Matchplay, failed to find his usual form at Wolverhampton. 

World No.5 Wade lives with bipolar disorder and ADHD and confesses his condition got the better of him on stage. 

He wrote in his Daily Star column: “Unfortunately, I wasn’t at my best when I played Gezzy; in fact, it was the complete opposite.  

“I played terribly. Everything felt wrong, and sometimes, unfortunately, my condition affects my performance.  

“Recently, I’ve been coping well and strategising, but for whatever reason, I didn’t handle it well this time. 

“It felt embarrassing for me, and I worried it might be embarrassing for the crowd too, even though Price put on a professional display, winning 5-0. 

“I wanted to go home, but there was still one game to play on Monday, and I was already out of the tournament.  

“It felt strange to play without real motivation; however, I wanted to prove to myself that I was over the disappointing result from Sunday. 

“Now, I’m back home with my kids and Samantha, and I have no desire to watch the darts.  

“It’s not because I’m bitter; I just don’t have any interest in it at all, especially seeing top players making money while I sulk at home.” 

Wade is now targeting a deep run at the Players Championship Finals and the World Championship as he looks to end his wait for a televised title — four years on from his memorable 2021 UK Open triumph. 

He added: “Fortunately, I won’t have time to sulk. Next week, I’m off to Minehead for the Players Championship Final, a tournament I’ve won before.  

“Last year, I reached the quarter-finals, and it’s crucial for me to get a run going as I prepare for the World Championships. 

“While I’m focused on the Players Championship, I’m already thinking about the World Championship and working on improving my game.  

“It’s been a really good year so far, but I want to do much better at Ally Pally.  

“The past two years at the World Championship have been disappointing for me, so I’m determined to perform at a much higher level this time around.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.