From the UK Open to the Spanish sun: Gian van Veen enjoys a few days’ rest with girlfriend Kyana

The schedule at the very top of world darts has only become busier in recent years. Especially for players competing in the prestigious Premier League Darts, matches come thick and fast. That also applies to Dutch World Championship finalist Gian van Veen, who still managed to find a few days of rest in the sun despite his packed agenda.

The 23-year-old made an early exit at the UK Open. Van Veen entered the tournament on Friday evening in the fourth round, but that immediately proved to be his final stop. The experienced Englishman Rob Cross was too strong for the Dutchman, winning 10-7 in legs.

Although the elimination was obviously a setback, it also offered an unexpected opportunity. Van Veen decided to make immediate use of the free weekend. Together with his girlfriend Kyana Frauenfelder, he boarded a plane for the sun.

The couple touched down in the popular resort of Costa Adeje on the Spanish island of Tenerife. On social media, Van Veen shared a photo of the view with the caption: “A few lovely days after the UK Open.”

A short break comes at a good time for Van Veen. The Dutchman is experiencing the busiest period of his career. His breakthrough truly took shape in 2025, when he impressively won the European Championship. It marked his first major TV title and an important step toward the absolute world elite.

As if that were not enough, early 2026 brought a sensational run at the World Darts Championship. Van Veen battled his way to the final of the year’s biggest tournament. There, he ultimately had to bow to the young phenomenon Luke Littler.

The final appearance earned Van Veen not only international recognition but also a hefty financial reward. The Dutchman pocketed no less than 450,000 euros for his performance at Alexandra Palace. Thanks in part to that run, he shot up to third place in the world rankings.

The success also brought new opportunities. For instance, Van Veen received an invitation to the Premier League Darts and several World Series events. That does mean, however, that his schedule is fuller than ever.

Earlier this year, Van Veen spoke openly about that new reality on the podcast Darts Draait Door. “The schedule keeps getting busier,” he said. “But the nice thing is that you can also treat yourself from time to time. Sometimes you can take a slightly more expensive holiday that you enjoy even more. Of course, that still has its limits.”

According to the Dutchman, these short getaways are important to stay mentally fresh. “You’re in a different city almost every week and constantly under pressure. Then it’s great to get away from it all for a bit and just relax.”

The rest will not last long, though. The return trip to the United Kingdom is already scheduled for Wednesday. There, night six of the Premier League Darts awaits at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. In the quarterfinals, Van Veen immediately faces a tough opponent: the current world number two, Luke Humphries.