EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | Cameron Carolissen on Ally Pally return: "When I saw the draw I was like: 'Jeez. Why me of all players?!"

For the second time in his career, Cameron Carolissen is heading to the Alexandra Palace after qualifying for the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship. Ahead of his return to the Ally Pally, the South African ace spoke exclusively to Dartsnews.com

"I'm happy to be back at the Alexandra Palace and I'm hopeful this is going to be a really memorable year for me," the 28-year-old begins, before the conversation quickly turns to the incredible scenes at the African qualifier in Kenya. "It was an amazing experience, especially for us South Africans who have played in a different African country for the first time. Hats off to Peter Wachiuri, the guy who I played in the final, it was definitely one for the books and one of greatest moments in my darting career."

The final against Wachiuri went right down to the wire too as Carolissen only prevailed in a nail-biting last leg decider 8-7, giving great entertainment to those in attendance and the thousands watching via livestream online. 

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For qualifying though, Carolissen hasn't exactly been rewarded with the easiest of ties, facing Dutch youngster Wessel Nijman in the opening round, with former Premier League Darts finalist Joe Cullen laying in wait for the winner. "I'm not going to lie, when I saw the draw I was like: 'Jeez. Why me of all players?!" he laughs. "He (Nijman) is probably the one guy that most of the pros wanted to avoid."

"But, I've dealt with it, I've processed it and I mean, it doesn't really matter who I play," he adds. "I'm just going out there to show the world what I have to offer, or what Africa has to offer. To showcase our talent. But yeah, I've been putting in the preparation, psyching myself up and this time around compared to when I went the first time, I think there's more excitement, so I'm holding on to that and I'm just hoping to do my best on the big stage."

Given it's been four years since Carolissen has been on the Ally Pally stage, the South African has had time to go away, work on his game and come back a much improved version of the player seen previously. "I've grown tremendously. I mean, from using that experience coming back home and just putting it into play within the practice routines, as well as game time here back home, the success has been there," he explains. "I've been winning tournament after tournament here in South Africa, some tournaments across Africa as well, so I've learned a lot from my first experience."

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Due to this success, Carolissen also got the opportunity to represent his nation at the World Cup of Darts in 2024. "That was an amazing experience for me, especially having to wear my country's flag on my on my back. I think also, if I put the two together, my first World Championship I played during Covid and there was no crowd. So getting to experience that in the World Cup, it's giving me the drive and the excitement of wanting to go play and do my best at the World Championship. I just can't wait to get on that stage!"

"There was quite some shade thrown, saying that I didn't have the crowd experience, but the World Cup gave me that little bit of taste of what it's all about. Getting up on that stage, turning around acknowledging the crowd, the crowd acknowledging you I think that's all you need," he adds. "That's a little bit of comfortability that's needed and I found that. I'm hoping that it happens again."

Given the immense noise and atmosphere in the African qualifier though, the famous Ally Pally crowd shouldn't intimidate Carolissen. "I'm a full believer that it's all part of the game. So let it happen you know, the more noise the better," he says confidently. "At the end of the day, it's all good for darts."

Cameron Carolissen 2024

As is the case with many of the worldwide qualifiers for the Ally Pally, the question of Q-School and a possible permanent move to Europe hangs over Carolissen. "Honestly speaking, I don't think that Q-School is on my mind right now," he answers our question on the topic. "I just had a baby boy, so in order for me to make that step, it's going to be a huge transition. I also have a working career here back home, so it's a lot for me to give up. But, the dream of wanting to become a full time pro player is still there."

"Firstly, I want to see how far I go in the World Championship to be honest, and I think it might change my mind this year," he continues. "I mean, who's to say, if I get a lucky streak, I go to the last 16 playing really well, I might just change my mind on the spot and be like: 'okay cool, let's give this a shot.' At this point, I'm quite uncertain about Q School. I can definitely say that my happiness is here at home, but it's definitely on the cards for the future."

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Because of that busy family life though, preparing for his trip to the Ally Pally hasn't been easy for Carolissen. "It has been tough for me. Coming home, only being able to put in the work after 9:00 pm at night," he explains. "But I have been putting in the work. I had a good night just recently. I've just been practicing on my own playing against a computer on a high level, I've been practicing the set play and one night at least, I put it at a minimum average of like 95 and I won 3-0 in sets, posting over 100 average. That gives me confidence to show that I'm on the right track and I've just got to keep that momentum going."

"I'll be at least a whole week up in the UK just to climatize and really mentally get myself ready for this match," Carolissen concludes. "I've got a couple of days before I play. I've earmarked to fly back on the 23rd, so I got a flexi option in place in case anything happens. If I'm staying for Christmas, I'm extending and if I'm staying again, I'll just extend thereafter!"

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