"I wouldn’t have been picked in a million years": Mike de Decker owes World Grand Prix title to World Series pick

Mike De Decker bowed out of the 2025 World Matchplay on Monday night, losing 11-8 to Jonny Clayton in the second round. Despite the disappointment, the Belgian offered a refreshingly honest and self-critical assessment of his performance.

Speaking to Sportnieuws.nl after the defeat, De Decker didn’t shy away from pointing the finger at himself. “I just wasn’t consistent enough, no matter what I said before the tournament,” he admitted. “You can’t expect to be consistently good if you don’t put the work in. That’s been the case the last few weeks.”

Though ultimately outplayed by the Welshman, De Decker showed flashes of his quality throughout the contest.

“There were times when my legs were really good,” he said. “At one point I couldn’t miss the treble. I even missed my eighth dart for a nine-darter. But in the end, it just wasn’t consistent enough. Jonny delivered at the right moments.”

The 28-year-old was particularly frustrated by missed opportunities in the early stages. “I miss that 140 and I could actually be 4-1 up in the first session. I miss one dart twice, and the 130 as well. But that’s the thing — if you’ve been training properly, those shots are in your locker. That builds confidence.”

With a smile and a hint of self-deprecation, he added: “I might as well have thrown that 140 to Mechelen.”

While the scoreline may have suggested a slightly wider gap than the contest reflected, De Decker refused to blame luck or fine margins.

“I don’t blame myself for anything. I still averaged 93 over 17 legs, so that’s not terrible. But it’s that consistency that I’m missing — and that will come.”

Asked why he hadn’t been putting in the hours on the practice board, De Decker gave a candid response.

“You can train a few hours every day if you want to — I just haven’t done that. I’ve been moving house, had to arrange loads of stuff, order things, pick them up… I’ve just been busy with everything else.”

Thankfully, that chapter is now closed. “Yeah, the move is done. Everything’s been ordered and delivered. That’s behind me now.”

Despite his early exit in Blackpool, De Decker remains upbeat and is already looking ahead to the remainder of the season, including trips to Australia and New Zealand as part of the World Series.

“The big majors are coming. I’ve got Australia and New Zealand, and from now on, I’ll be training a few hours every day.”

His selection for the World Series is, in his view, a reward for what he’s achieved recently — particularly his breakthrough victory at the 2024 World Grand Prix. “Yeah, that’s why I got the invite. If I hadn’t won the World Grand Prix, I wouldn’t have been picked in a million years.”

While disappointed, De Decker remains pragmatic about his defeat to the world number 10.

“Okay, I lost — but let’s not forget, Jonny is a top-10 player. It could have gone either way. Today it was him, in a few weeks it might be me. I’m not sulking. I’m just really looking forward to Australia and New Zealand.”