“Here, Friday night, a lot of football people. I didn’t want that attention” – Australian Damon Heta bins Ashes bait as Ally Pally campaign begins with a win

Damon Heta stood in front of the cameras after his convincing first round win at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship not only wearing a broad smile, but radiating confidence. The Australian opened his Ally Pally campaign with an energetic and composed 3-1 victory over Steve Lennon, booking his place in round two and underlining just how comfortable he feels on darts’ biggest stage.

It was a performance built on rhythm, belief and control, and one that immediately set the tone for his tournament. In the next round, Heta will face the winner of the match between Raymond van Barneveld and Stefan Bellmont. “Absolute buzzing,” Heta said afterwards, where Dartsnews.com were present among the media. “I was really up for it. From the moment I walked into the building, my spirit was high.”

That feeling was already there before he reached the stage. “I warmed up really well, practiced with Gian a bit and we were smashing everything,” he explained. “I honestly couldn’t miss. It was insane. I ended up beating him in a couple of games and that just gave me confidence.”

Even when Lennon briefly pulled momentum back by taking a set, Heta never felt rattled. “Even when I lost that set, I wasn’t bothered,” he said. “I thought, ‘You know what, this is going to happen for me.’ I just reset and got on with it.”

Heta’s response in the latter stages reflected both experience and preparation. After a wobble in the third set, he quickly reasserted control and closed the match out professionally.

“I put in the time,” he said. “There’s no two ways about it. I always put in the time. I’ve just got to believe in myself and believe in what I do. I’m a hard worker, and I trust that.”

That work ethic was matched by visible enjoyment on stage, with Heta combining sharp finishing with an easy confidence in front of the crowd.

“I felt in my zone for a bit there,” he said. “I’m a serious guy at times, but I like to have fun as well. If I’m serious, having fun, and doing the right things at the right moments, I feel really comfortable. When the darts are flowing, it’s a massive snowball effect.”

The Alexandra Palace stage has already delivered memorable moments for Heta, most notably his nine darter last year. Returning to the venue inevitably brought that moment back into focus, but his approach this time was noticeably calmer.

“I won’t make any promises if I hit another nine this year,” he joked. “I’ll keep that on the down low and have a mild celebration.”

That nine darter remains a highlight, but also a learning experience.

“Last year was a great moment, don’t get me wrong,” Heta reflected. “But the over celebration, the highs and the lows, it all happened in one game. It was a massive learning curve for me.”

This year, the emphasis is firmly on consistency.

“This year it’s about getting on with the job and hopefully going really far,” he said.

The win also arrived after what Heta described as a challenging spell on television towards the end of the season. Rather than dwell on it, he was quick to put things into perspective.

“At the end of the day, I’ve done alright this year,” he said. “It feels like my worst year, but compared to most, I’m doing okay. If this is my bad moment, things are looking good.”

That outlook feeds into his long-term confidence.

“I feel like I’ve got real longevity in darts,” Heta added. “The game keeps going up and up, and if I keep sticking around, getting wins here and there, things are looking good for me.”

In a one-on-one sport, Heta believes mentality and body language can be as important as scoring power.

“It’s about body language and how you present yourself on stage,” he explained. “If your shoulders are down or you’re throwing your arms around, what’s the other player thinking? You don’t want to give that away. I like to stay positive and upbeat. That’s what works for me.”

That mindset is not new, but something he consciously maintains.

“That’s always been my mentality,” he said. “A positive outlook. You don’t want to give too much away to your opponent.”

Looking ahead to round two, Heta is relaxed about who he will face.

“Doesn’t bother me, mate,” he said. “I’ll just do what I did tonight. I really feel like things are going to happen for me.”

His approach to Steve Lennon followed the same logic.

“I just saw Steve Lennon,” Heta said. “He’s a seasoned player, been on the tour for years, steady game, and capable of producing big performances. It’s a tricky draw, a real banana skin.”

Rather than overthinking the opponent, he kept his focus inward.

“Just play my game, get through 501 as quickly as possible, hit the doubles, build confidence, win legs and try to dominate,” he explained.

Even during the brief setback, his belief never wavered.

“I honestly felt it was easy,” Heta said. “I was like, ‘Doesn’t bother me, I’ll get this one done.’ I felt like it was going to happen. I felt a million bucks.”

Asked what success would look like at this year’s World Championship, Heta refused to look beyond the next match.

“One game at a time,” he said. “That’s it. I don’t plan on failing. I’ve put so much time and effort in, and I’ve got to believe in that. I believe I’ve put more work in than the guy facing me.”

The Australian also explained why he deliberately avoided leaning into cricket banter on a Friday night in London.

“Blackpool is a darts crowd, they get my banter,” he said. “But here, Friday night, a lot of football people. I didn’t want that attention. I just wanted to get the job done.”

Away from the World Championship, Heta remains enthusiastic about the growth of darts back home, particularly through the ANZ Premier League.

“The attendance blew me away,” he said. “The production was great, the exposure was brilliant, and the feedback back home has been really positive. That’s what’s needed.”

With strong crowds in places like Adelaide, he sees clear potential for the future.

“Why not?” Heta added. “Adelaide got four and a half thousand for an amateur event. What would a professional event do? Why keep going to the same places? It only helps the game grow.”