"I can only blame myself": Richard Veenstra wasn't bothered about slow pace of methodical Alexis Toylo in shock loss

Richard Veenstra was allowed to pack up surprisingly early at the World Darts Championship. 'Flyers' who made it to the third round in London last year, lost 3-0 in sets to Alexis Toylo in the first round.

However, the difference between the two players was not great. All sets were decided 3-2 in Toylo's favor. The Filipino did better especially on the doubles; 50 versus 30 percent.

For Toylo, it was his debut on the World Championship podium. Early in the match, his peculiar mannerisms and slow pace stood out. That did not immediately bother Veenstra. ''That's not so bad,'' Veenstra told Viaplay afterwards. ''Annoy you to death? You shouldn't do that huh ... I just don't play well myself, didn't start well, miss doubles, it all fell his way. You try to get into a rhythm, but you miss so many doubles.... I knew this was coming. If someone can tell me how to deal with it.... I can only blame myself. I would do the same thing if I were him. It's really down to myself."

Follow the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship via our LIVE SCORE!

Read also

Everything about the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship: Schedule, results, TV guide and prize money

Later, Veenstra also joined the press conference. There, the darter from Ossenzijl indicated that it only bothered him a little in the beginning. ''In the beginning it bothered me, but at one point I thought 'let it go'. Then I didn't manage to get into my own game anyway. I didn't see coming that I would go off 3-0. It's half an hour and then things can go good or bad. Last year I experienced a great World Championship, but unfortunately that wasn't in it this time."

And so Veenstra can thus return to the Netherlands earlier than expected. ''It's sad, I can't make much else out of it. I have to move on. I have disappointed myself, but I am not someone who suffers for weeks. Now it's just a really hard bummer, though," Veenstra continued. The former Lakeside semi-finalist will stay in London for the next few days. ''I had booked a hotel until after my possible match in the second round. So there won't be one."