"I didn't want a Tour Card... there are bigger things this year" - Simon Whitlock excited for future away from PDC, but eyes World Cup of Darts return in 2025

After losing his PDC Tour Card at the end of last year, Simon Whitlock has come to terms with the fact that a return to the Pro Tour is unlikely to ever happen. Despite a valiant attempt to reclaim his card at Q-School, the Australian darts icon is no longer focused on the grind of the professional circuit. Instead, he’s embracing a new phase in his career, one filled with fresh opportunities, including competing in senior events and the MODUS Super Series, where he’s able to enjoy the game on his own terms.

"I'm doing so much work now; it's unbelievable! I'm playing loads of tournaments," a smiling Whitlock tells Online Darts in a recent interview. "Things are a little bit easier now. I'm not playing for my life you know, playing for money every time I play, like it's a lot more relaxed. I'm still playing just as much darts, I'm still practicing as hard and so yeah, I'm still as busy as ever."

As mentioned, Q-School didn't exactly go to plan for Whitlock as he failed to secure an immediate return to the Pro Tour. Because of this, the Aussie has come to the realisation that his days playing PDC darts might now have reached its conclusion. As he points out though, that might not be the worst thing in the world for him.

"I knew I didn't want a Tour Card to be fair. I'm sorry if I didn't get a card, to all the people who wanted me to get a card. But there are bigger things this year," says Whitlock excitedly. "And yeah, I think everything's going well for me."

Also, although he obviously does not hold his Tour Card anymore, Whitlock could still yet return to the scene of arguably his greatest ever victory and reunite with Damon Heta at the World Cup of Darts. Given Heta is the only Aussie on the PDC Tour, the second spot on the team remains open.

"I haven't had the shout, but I sort of knew if no other Aussie got their Tour Card then I would be available and I'll be the person who plays with Damon," says 'The Wizard' himself on the topic, insistent that he can roll back the years and replicate his success alongside Heta from back in 2022. "I'm going to try just as hard as I have every other year and I expect big things with me and Damo. I believe we can win it."