Huybrechts doesn't agree with Wade: 'The standard is higher and there is more strength in depth'

The pandemic has made it a particularly strange year for darts players as well. In part 2 of Dartsnews.com 's interview with Kim Huybrechts, he explains how this went for him and what his run-up to the World Championship looks like.

The darts world also did not escape the pandemic and was shut down for about four months between mid-March and early July (with the exception of the Home Tour). “It has been strange for everyone. Nobody has had a normal year and we have also seen serious changes. For some, they are a bit more favourable than for others. Playing without an audience was different, our Summer and Winter series (playing tournaments five days in a row) were different, and the obligations related to the Coronavirus measures were also adjusted ”, says Huybrechts.

As a result, it was not always easy for the Belgian to get into the right rhythm. "The season itself was full of ups and downs, there is certainly progression, but I feel it is going too slowly."

The good news is that the upcoming World Cup will again take place with spectators. “The PDC follows the safety regulations very well so I think everyone will be relatively safe if they follow the rules. It is of course nice that there will be an audience again, although it will still be very different from those magical evenings at the 'Ally Pally'. ”

Huybrechts will play his opening match at the World Cup against the Chinese Di Zhuang on Saturday 19 December. Until then, there is still a solid practice schedule “I train alone and with colleagues. There is practice scheduled with Ron Meulenkamp, ​​Martijn Kleermaker and Niels Zonneveld. I also train weekly with Kevin van Wauwe and Philip Van Gasse (who will play Q-school in January) at Dartspaleis.

In recent weeks there has been a lot of fuss about the statements of James Wade, who claimed that the level of the top 10 is lower than before. “I don't agree anymore, on the contrary, I think the level is higher than before. Where there used to be five to eight players who could win a tournament, now there are maybe 32 who have a chance to win. By the way, if James Wade thinks this, he should be higher in the world ranking, right? ”