Dave Chisnall sits down with kwiff to go through the life of a professional darts player, with updates from recent competitions in Milton Keynes, a look back at The World Darts Championship from The Alexandra Palace and being named PDC ProTour Player of the Year.
PDC World Darts Championships
“The World’s this year was a bit mixed for me. I was pleased to get to the quarter-finals, and thought I had played well in the earlier rounds (beating Cameron Menzies and Gabriel Clemens), and played much better when beating Daryl (Gurney) to get through to the last eight.”
“I’m not sure what happened between then and New Year’s Day, but I didn’t finish at all well against Luke and it was a bit of a struggle. I had a bit of a temperature and think a few of the lads might have also caught a bug, but it’s no excuse and I still love the Ally Pally stage. I’ll be there again next Christmas and hopefully give it another good go.”
Cazoo Masters at Milton Keynes
“The darts I threw the Friday night were unreal. It felt so good up there. When it all clicks, it’s such a great feeling. I read somewhere that it was one of my best averages on TV (109), and it’s the standard I’m putting pressure on myself to do more of that later on in the year. “
“It’s sometimes really hard to follow a game like that, so I was happy enough to follow that win over Martin (Shindler) with getting past Danny Noppert. You look at the draw and think you could potentially be up against Michael (Van Gerwen) in the QFs and think – I need to be on the top of my game to get through here. And I wasn’t. And he was – and just like that you’re out. Michael got ahead early and it’s just so hard to claw back legs when he’s throwing so well.
“He’s throwing great at the moment – just look how good he played in Berlin during Night 2 of The Premier League to get it done – he looks nearing back to his best. That makes Steve’s (Stephen Bunting) win over him in the final on Sunday so great. We’ve been big pals for a long time and I’m so happy that he’s finally won that first TV Title. He’s a class act and he’ll win plenty more.”
Pro Tour
“I find the travelling hard work sometimes, so it’s handy that this week’s Pro Tour is in Wigan. It’s just round the corner for me – will probably be half an hour! There’s added pressure going into it as the number one seed, but I’ll just play my own game. I was really proud to be named Pro Tour Player of the Year, and want to thank the fellow players, the fans and my sponsors. Everyone who supports me basically. I’m dead chuffed.”
Dave Chisnall Answers Fan Questions
How many times do you go bunting mental per week? @SondreLeeds
“Not often enough for my liking!”
Breakthrough player on the Pro Tour this season? @DartsGuy2024
“Can I pick Luke Littler lol? I think Gian van Veen is a proper talent – he’ll have a good year.”
Yellow was always your favourite colour? And if I can ask a second question; how many tattoos do you have? @BiaLovesHayden
“Yellow isn’t my favourite colour – it’s green. I wear yellow because nobody wore yellow when I first started, and thought it was a bit different! And 4 tattoos 😊”
How many times does your Mrs beat you at round the board? @WetGadget
“None! She never practices with me. It avoids any rows that way haha!”
Have you always had that snatch in your throw? And have you ever tried to get rid of it? @Twiggy180_
“I’ve always had it, but it only happens when I release the dart. The dart goes in so it’s worth sticking at for now!”
Favourite game? @TheTarnWay
“Beating Michael Van Gerwen 5-0 in the Quarter-Finals of the PDC World Darts Championship 2021.”
What’s your Ideal pre match meal? @TheSpear501
“Anything light. I eat a lot of chicken, so probably something like a chicken salad.”
How much travelling do you do?? @Kevty12
“Too much. Wigan will be a nice change next week!”
Best friend in darts? @TheTarnWay
“I get on with everyone. You could say I’m friends with all the northern boys, so Steve Bunting, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall. But get on well with everyone really.”
Favourite number to finish on? @EFCHamilton
My best double is Double 18, probably just that over Double 20. The one I’m probably best at hitting is Double 4. But if you’re on that, something has gone a bit wrong along the way hasn’t it!”
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
Supercharge your bets with kwiff.
By Dave Chisnall
Related Articles
