"Newcomer to the PDC!" - Andy Baetens on choice between WDF domination or forcing career in the PDC

Lakeside champion Andy Baetens is now a fully fledged member of the PDC. The 2023 WDF World Champion realizes that a new world has opened up for him.

Baetens was presented with the choice in conversation with Het Nieuwsblad: Newcomer in the PDC or number one in the world in the WDF. "Newcomer in the PDC," he says firmly. "Mainly because the level there is higher than in the WDF, where I became world champion. Plus: you can earn more money there. The matches of the Pro Tour are also better watched. You get on TV and on a live stream, with the WDF that was almost never the case. I don't mind that at all because I love playing on a stage. I get adrenaline from that, that always does something to me."

Baetens currently combines his darts career with a day job at a supermarket. "I keep working anyway, two days a week. That way I can stay busy and have something behind me should things go wrong. My boss herself suggested this arrangement, because she didn't want to lose me completely."

The 34-year-old Belgian was presented with another dilemma: Luke Littler or Luke Humphries. "Haha... Luke Humphries! Surely I have a better relationship with him than with the other Luke. We still send each other messages since that quarter-final in Wieze last year."

"Although, I also thought it was great that Littler sent me congratulations after winning my world title and my Tour Card. But age does play a bit of a factor here. Littler is a different generation. He is busy with different things than me and Humphries. With Humphries you can talk about renovations, for example, or complain about the women (laughs)."

Baetens was active with the WDF for a long time, how was the acquaintance with the PDC? "I still know some people on the tour, like Mario Vandenbogaerde, Richard Veenstra and Chris Landman," he says. "Guys I met in the WDF. So I do already have a group to sit down with, to play cards for example. The atmosphere is going to be good anyway."

"It's all new to me, we'll see what it gives. I'm also looking forward to getting to know other people. Not that I'm that social, but still. I already know Michael van Gerwen a bit. He gave me some feedback after a match in Wieze. I could appreciate that. Tips from someone like that are valuable."

He can always count on the support of his girlfriend Stefanie. "She is very important to me and ideally I would like her to go everywhere with me. Unfortunately that's not possible because of work. But Stefanie knows me through and through. She knows perfectly what I have to do when. And in the lesser moments, she is my support. Even during matches, just by one look. I used to play well, but now I am playing darts at the best level of my career. Thanks to her and my sponsors, because without funding you get nowhere. When will we get married? We have been together for four years. Maybe when we have a lot of time. It's busy all year round, though. It's a bit of madness."