"Can we do the draw again please?" - Damon Heta rues friendly warfare set for 2025 World Darts Championship

Damon Heta will begin his sixth consecutive World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace next month. 'The Heat lost out in the fourth round last year against Scott Williams, in what was his best ever performance at iconic home of the PDC Worlds.

Heta, the Australian number one and current number nine in the PDC Order of Merit, is exempt in the first round of the draw, and then takes on the winner of the duel between Connor Scutt and Ben Robb in round two. An emotionally tough match for Heta, as both players are good friends of his. Consequently, after the draw on Monday, Heta wrote on his official X (Twitter) account: "Can we do the draw again please?"

Whilst some of the replies to Heta's post seemed to pick up on worry from the Aussie, Heta quickly put down those thoughts in sharp replies. "It ain’t about being worried… it’s more the fact I’ve for a lot of time for Connor & we practice together & Ben is literally family," he explained to one such response.

"These type of posts sum up how little people know about me," he replied to another who had suggested there are no friends on the dartboard. "I can still not want to play friends & family & avoid them early rounds without it meaning I’m not going to go up there & try & smash them."

'The Heat' has had another solid campaign in 2024, continuing to steadily move his way up the PDC Order of Merit, being a constant threat away from the TV screens and even breaking new ground in front of the cameras with a run to a first major semi-final earlier this year at the UK Open. A potential dark horse in regards to the upcoming World Darts Championship, Heta could be one to watch as the tournament progresses.