"I had a health problem with my head": Krzysztof Ratajski underwent two brain surgery operations to treat an aneurysm

Krzysztof Ratajski’s comeback victory at the 2026 World Darts Championship saw him come from 3-1 down to edge out Dutch darting ace Wesley Plaisier and continue his run into the Last 16.

Ratajski was open afterwards about how much it meant to him given health struggles he gave clarity on which he said saw him drop out of the world's top 32 and saw his place on the top table of darts uncertain. Once one of the most consistent players on the tour winning ProTours in particular for fun, he saw his form dip but that was for a reason.

But he is now back and at the PDC World Darts Championship, it was a delight for 'The Polish Eagle' to soar into the next round. “I’m over the moon, of course,” Ratajski said after surviving match darts and producing one of the most dramatic recoveries of the tournament. “It was a very difficult match. I was 3–1 down, so it’s a very dangerous situation, but I turned the match around. For me, coming back from 3–1, I’m really happy.”

The Pole’s comeback hinged on composure under pressure and clutch finishing to level the match at three sets apiece, a moment he identified as the turning point. “It was something special,” he said. “I hit good doubles in good moments. There were a few very important moments and I took the most important legs.”

Yet beyond the drama on stage, Ratajski used his post-match interviews to reflect candidly on the health issues that contributed to his slide out of the world’s top 32, a sharp contrast to his peak years. This was confirmed to be brain surgery for an aneurysm.

“Earlier I had a health problem with my head. I had an injury, so it was a difficult time for me,” Ratajski explained. “Everything now is okay. Last year was okay, so now I hope I will go up in the rankings and everything will be fine.”

The admission offered clarity on a period that saw one of the PDC’s most consistent performers struggle to maintain form. While results dipped, Ratajski insists his belief never disappeared. “I know now I’m in good form,” he said. “I feel confident and I feel I can play with everyone. Every match you must play 110 per cent to win.”

That confidence was evident in his reaction to the comeback itself, a rare show of emotion from a player known for his calm demeanour.

“I don’t celebrate very often,” he admitted. “But when the match is very close and when I come back from 3–1 like in this match, I have to let it out and celebrate. It was very important for me when I survived three match darts and came back from 3–1.”

Ratajski stopped short of directly comparing his current form to his standout 2021 season, but believes his performance against Plaisier demonstrated a level capable of competing with the very best. “It’s hard to compare because I’m not sure I play better now than then,” he said. “Sometimes you play really good and you don’t get good results. Here it was a very solid game — almost a 100 average. If you play 100, you can win even against players who play 100-plus.”

Now 37, Ratajski is realistic about his immediate goals but sees the World Championship as a crucial opportunity to rebuild his ranking after dropping outside the top 32. “Top 32 is a fair target, of course, because I just fell out,” he said. “This tournament is a really good chance because the ranking points here are very high, so every match is very important.”

Asked whether the comeback ranks among the finest of his career, Ratajski acknowledged its significance — particularly given the stage. “This comeback is one of the best of my career, for sure,” he said. “It’s a World Championship, so it’s the most important. Maybe this is the finest for me.”

He also credited experience for helping him navigate the tense moments against Plaisier, who was making only his second appearance at Alexandra Palace. “I’ve been here six or seven times,” Ratajski said. “My experience was a lot more, so it helped me for sure.”

Despite being the sole remaining Polish player in the tournament, Ratajski remains focused solely on the next challenge rather than national milestones or favourable sections of the draw.

“I will focus on the next match,” he said. “I don’t know how far I will go, I hope to the final.”

For now, the win represents something more personal: proof that after injury, uncertainty and a slide down the rankings, Ratajski is once again capable of producing his best on darts’ biggest stage. “Every time,” he said, when asked if his best may still lie ahead. “Of course, I hope the best is still in the future.”