Dimitri van den Bergh speaks openly for the first time about a year full of sporting and mental challenges. After a conscious break, he is now working on his return to top-level darts.
Belgian dart player Dimitri Van den Bergh has spoken openly for the first time about his emotional low, describing a year that pushed him to his sporting and mental limits.
In the podcast Tops & Tales by PDC referee Huw Ware, the former World Matchplay champion looked back extensively on the most difficult phase of his career.
Dimitri Van den Bergh looks back on the most difficult year of his career
For the “Dreammaker”, 2025 resembled more of a nightmare. Van den Bergh described how he slipped into a deep slump for months and increasingly lost faith in himself.
Van den Bergh in Crisis
“I was still fighting with myself. But there was a phase where I was working against myself,” explained the 29-year-old. The burden gradually built up until he finally made a conscious decision: “I had to get away – it became too much.”
Van den Bergh then completely withdrew from darts for several weeks, didn’t touch his arrows, and tried to gain mental distance. The goal was a fresh start at the World Championship with a clear head and new energy. However, this plan did not work out.
At Alexandra Palace, the Belgian was eliminated early, clearly losing 0:3 to Scotland’s Darren Beveridge. The sporting consequences were noticeable. Van den Bergh slipped to 25th place in the Order of Merit, putting him seriously at risk of falling out of the top 32 in the world rankings for the first time.
“I Cried My Eyes Out”
Van den Bergh particularly emotionally recalls his tournament withdrawal in 2025 in Rosmalen, which marked a turning point for him. “I cried my eyes out,” he said in retrospect. Despite the strong emotions, he took responsibility and personally informed Tournament Director Keith Dicks of his decision.
The PDC’s reaction deeply moved him. “They immediately asked if everything was alright, if they could do anything. I received so much support and respect,” said Van den Bergh.
Today, Van den Bergh evaluates this step as a necessary fresh start and not as giving up. He realized that the fun of the game had been lost: “Darts was more enduring than enjoying – and darts must be enjoyment.”
Meanwhile, the Belgian is working on his comeback with a changed lifestyle, more conscious nutrition, and a new mental focus.
In the short term, he wants to return to the world’s top 16. In the long term, he continues to dream of major titles and winning the World Championship.