"Everyone was talking saying I didn't deserve it": Mike de Decker proves critics wrong with recent final place in Australia

Mike de Decker began his 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters campaign in impressive fashion, delivering a composed and confident performance that highlighted his growth since last week’s outing in Australia.

De Decker averaged 94.4 with four 180's and a high checkout of 150 with 6/16 on the outer ring. He won through 6-1 against former PDC Tour Card holder 'GG' Gordon Mathers and he was pleased with his assured display.

“Yeah, yeah. It was a lot better this first round than it was last week in Australia. So I'm really happy,” De Decker said after his opening-round win in the press conference. The Belgian’s self-assured display was a marked contrast to his debut in Australia, where nerves and expectations weighed heavily.

Reflecting on the difference in his approach this week, he explained, “Yeah, a little bit. Last week was my debut and, you know, everyone was talking a little bit, saying I didn't deserve it. But reaching the final gave me a boost and settled me down.”

De Decker’s rapid rise in the darts world has not come without scrutiny. Despite winning a TV title and showcasing moments of brilliance, he acknowledged the criticism he sometimes faces.

“Yeah, a lot of people are looking at the last six months. And to be honest, in the last six months, I just haven't been good enough. My level has been really good or really bad. So I get where it's coming from, but it's not fair that they're overlooking my performance since last year,” he said. His comments underscore the challenge young players face in balancing recent form against their broader achievements.

Confidence has been a key factor in de Decker’s recent performances, particularly following last week’s run to the final in Australia. "Yeah, massive. It was really edgy in the first round, I scrapped through that. And then I played some good darts. I lost against Luke, but he's been phenomenal for the last two years, so it's no shame in losing to him. But yeah, it's been a good run and I've really been enjoying my time up here,” he reflected. The experience appears to have steadied him, giving him both reassurance and renewed focus for upcoming events.

Looking ahead, De Decker is aware of the bigger challenges on the horizon, including defending his World Grand Prix title later this year. “At the moment, no. I'm just trying to get my form where it should be. That's the main goal. Hopefully, I get there before October and maybe I can defend the title,” he said. Despite not yet fully turning his attention to the defence, the Belgian is clearly mindful of the significance of maintaining his peak form.

Beyond the immediate focus on performance, de Decker is also motivated by the prospect of adding to his list of TV titles. “Yeah, of course. I want to win every tournament I play in. It doesn't matter if it's PDC or a local tournament in Belgium. Since the beginning of this year, I changed sponsors from Bulls to Mission and I'm still getting used to my darts. A couple of weeks ago, I made some tweaks, and it's going a lot better now. I feel a lot more comfortable playing with these than I did in the last six months. So hopefully it goes upwards from here,” he said. The equipment adjustments, combined with a newfound comfort on stage, signal a player entering a strong phase of his career.

Winning has also provided an important mental boost for de Decker. “Yeah, definitely. I felt a lot more comfortable on stage today than I did last week, so yeah, it's definitely a confidence boost,” he said. His improved comfort under pressure could prove crucial as the tournament progresses and the stakes get higher.