"Even Michael van Gerwen has dips in form – But talent doesn't disappear" - Mike de Decker optimistic he can produce best darts when it matters heading into busy Autumn

‘The Real Deal’ Mike De Decker has booked his place in the second round of the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals. In his opening match, the Belgian saw off Germany’s Gabriel Clemens with a 6–3 victory, earning a clash with Damon Heta in the next round.

De Decker has been on quite the journey this year. After eight years using the exact same set-up, he made the bold decision at the start of the season to shake things up: a new sponsor, a fresh contract with Mission Darts, and a brand-new set of darts. For many players, that might sound like a natural progression in their career — but for De Decker, it proved more challenging than anticipated. The grip, the flights, the feel in his hand — everything was just slightly off. And in a sport where precision and confidence are the difference between triumph and defeat, those small changes can have a major impact.

The transition to his new darts brought with it some highs, but plenty of lows too. No matter how much he tinkered, he struggled to rediscover the comfort and confidence he had with his old setup. And that starts to play on your mind. Every missed double, every dip in form on a big stage becomes not just a technical issue, but a mental one too.

Last week, De Decker made a striking decision: to return to his old ‘Red Fantoms’ — the flights with which he made his breakthrough and impressed at last year’s World Grand Prix. It was a bold, but ultimately logical move. He brought them out again at the Euro Tour in Prague, and instantly felt a sense of familiarity. “Unfortunately, I ran into an on-fire Michael van Gerwen there,” De Decker laughed afterwards.

The real test of his old set-up came in Amsterdam at the World Series of Darts Finals. Greeted by rapturous applause and the sounds of Bob Marley, De Decker made his debut at AFAS Live. It started promisingly, breaking Clemens in the opening leg. But the euphoria was short-lived, as Clemens immediately broke back.

What followed was a scrappy encounter, with both players struggling to hit top form. De Decker could barely find the treble 20 and was visibly frustrated with his performance. Clemens, meanwhile, squandered a number of doubles, turning the match into a coin toss. In the end, it was De Decker who edged it 6–3, though he was the first to admit it was far from convincing. “Otherwise, I could’ve driven back to Zele already,” he joked to HLN.be. “I’m happy to get the win, but it was patchy — some good spells, but just as many poor ones. Clemens was the same.”

A quick glance at the stats showed there’s still plenty of work to do: no 90+ average, just two 180s — far too few for a player of De Decker’s calibre. “I was throwing brilliantly in the practice room, but on stage it felt like hard graft. I’ve no idea what it is exactly, but it’s got to improve — and soon,” said De Decker.

Next up was Damon Heta — a tough opponent known for his consistency and focus. But De Decker wasn’t fazed. “Everyone’s dangerous these days. There’s no such thing as an easy draw anymore. As long as I play well, I’m happy. If not, I might let out a few curses,” he added with a grin. “But I know I’ll have to be better tomorrow.”

The tournament in Amsterdam isn’t just another event for De Decker — it’s meant to be the springboard into a decisive run of form. The autumn calendar is packed with big opportunities: defending his strong showing at the World Grand Prix, the European Championship, a potential spot at the Grand Slam of Darts, the Players Championship Finals, and of course, the World Darts Championship in London.

It’s crunch time. And just when it matters most, De Decker has turned back to the darts that once brought him success. The ‘Red Fantoms’ are his ticket to regaining the confidence and consistency he’s occasionally lacked this season.

Despite the inconsistency, De Decker remains upbeat and determined. “Everyone goes through a rough patch now and then. Mine’s been this year, Clemens has had his struggles too. Even someone like Michael van Gerwen has dips in form. But talent doesn’t just disappear. It’s about keeping your head down and believing in yourself.”

For his fans and the Belgian darts community, there’s plenty of reason to feel optimistic. With the ‘Red Fantoms’ back in hand, experience under his belt, and a fighting spirit that never wavers, Mike De Decker looks ready to push towards the very top once again this autumn.