WATTIMENA OPENS UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABUSE FROM TROLLS
08/08/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
JERMAINE WATTIMENA has revealed how abuse from social media trolls and fierce criticism in the press nearly broke him.
‘The Machine Gun’ last week landed his maiden PDC ranking title by winning Players Championship 23.
World No. 26 Wattimena has been a fixture on the PDC tour and hasn’t missed a World Championship since making his debut in 2015.
Yet the Dutchman admits the bright lights and media glare of the big stage got to him in his early days.
He said: “I was criticised a lot, and I really took that to heart.
“Once, I lost at the World Championship and already knew what was said in the studio — without even watching it.”
That pressure only grew when abuse from online trolls began to pour in.
He added: “I even received death threats. But I’ve learned to deal with it much better now.”
One moment that summed up the strain was when Wattimena refused a post-match interview — a clip that went viral on TikTok.
He admitted: “Not my best moment. But I made up for it later with Viaplay. It’s water under the bridge.”
Now, the former European Championship finalist says technical tweaks to his throw have sparked his resurgence.
He revealed: “I changed the angle of my flight, which gives me more scoring power. It helps me stay consistent, even when the throw isn’t perfect.
“I used to rush things — especially on doubles. Now I take more time, and that’s made a big difference.”
Wattimena’s next mission is a deep run at Ally Pally, with the last 16 firmly in his sights — and an eye on staying among the elite for PDC majors.
He disclosed: “That’s definitely something I want. But you’ve got to take it one match at a time. The draw plays a big part.
“To reach the World Championship, you need to be in the top 40 on the main or Pro Tour Order of Merit. But for the Matchplay, it’s the top 16 — that’s the elite.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
