"I would love to see him back on the Tour" - Wessel Nijman hopes MODUS return can be start of Adrian Lewis' darting resurgence

Wessel Nijman has had a somewhat rocky start to his darting career. In recent months however, things have really begun to click for the 24-year-old Dutchman.

Starring with multiple titles on the PDC Development Tour, Nijman holds a comfortable, near £6,000 lead in the Development Tour Order of Merit and looks good for a second appearance at the Alexandra Palace later this year. On the PDC Pro Tour too Nijman has impressed, reaching a final recently and rising to 78th in the overall PDC Order of Merit. It's a strong resurgence for the Dutch talent once banned for match fixing.

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Speaking to the Weekly Dartscast, Nijman reflected on his recent successes. "The last weekend at the Development Tour, I played all matches but one, only losing two matches and winning three tournaments, which is obviously very good," Nijman recalls. "Then, playing my first Pro Tour final, that's pretty good as well! The first four matches were all above 100 average which felt really good. Then I played Gary Anderson and Damon Heta in pretty good matches as well, but just missed out to Luke Littler in the final. Luke deserved it though, he was the best player from the start."

On his Ally Pally debut earlier this year, in Nijman's first World Darts Championship appearance he faced off against the record breaking stalwart of World Championships, Steve Beaton. Despite a bright showing from the youthful Dutchman, it was the experienced Beaton who would eventually prevail 3-1. "Before the Ally Pally, I wasn't actually that nervous. The day itself was nice, the practice went good, but as soon as I actually walked out in the venue itself, the nerves hit me," he recalls. "I've said it before but to play a legend on that kind of stage, it was what I dreamed about as a kid."

After the World Championship, Nijman began his debut season as a PDC Tour Card holder. "It's so hard because you have to average at least 95 and if you miss one or two chances, that's it. You're out," he says with a wry laugh. "It's better now anyway (than when he was a replacement via the Challenge Tour ed.), because at least I know I'm playing. They call you up the day before and say 'we need you!'"

Growing up, Nijman loved watching Adrian Lewis. With 'Jackpot' himself set for a return to the darting circuit via the MODUS Super Series in 2025, Nijman is excited to see the two time world champion back in action. "I would love to see him back on the Tour. It's a shame he's not playing Pro Tour events now," the Dutchman analyses. "I wanted to play with him on Pro Tours because he is obviously one of my idols when I started playing. So I hope he will go to Q-School and get his Tour Card back. That would be good."

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Nijman on his Ally Pally debut