"Even though the results are coming, I don't feel I'm playing that well" - Luke Woodhouse readying himself for World Matchplay debut

For the first time in his career, Luke Woodhouse has managed to qualify for the World Matchplay in 2024. In the opening round, the Englishman will take on defending champion, Nathan Aspinall.

Woodhouse managed to qualify through the Pro Tour Order of Merit. "Last year I felt like I was playing really well. The start of this year, I don't. Even though the results are coming, I don't feel I'm playing that well," Woodhouse says in conversation with the Seeing Double Darts Podcast. "I've sort of put myself under a tiny bit more pressure to keep performing, rather than just going and playing naturally."

At the end of 2023, Woodhouse reached his first major quarter-final at the Players Championship Finals. "In the Players Championships I genuinely thought I could probably get to the final and I was a bit disappointed," Woodhouse recalls. "But to be fair, that's the first time into a quarters of a major. I just ran out of steam on the stage in the evening."

Of late, Woodhouse has been spending quite a lot of time at the practice board, working hard to keep improving. Compared to some of his fellow pros however, Woodhouse realises his practice schedule is still relatively minor. "Damon Heta. His commitment to the game is like nothing I've ever seen before," Woodhouse explains with a warm smile. "He will do sort of seven or eight hours a day practice. He's the best practicer I've ever played with or practiced with. He hits absolutely everything, so seeing him doing what he's doing now is no shock at all. He's probably the hardest working dart player I've I've come across."

As mentioned, 'Woody' begins his debut World Matchplay campaign next week and in his opening match, he has the unenviable task of taking on reigning champion Nathan Aspinall.