"If the PDC didn’t invite me then that’s their choice": Mike de Decker doubles down on World Series criticism despite call-up

Mike De Decker says he has “no regrets” about his outspoken views on the PDC’s World Series selections — even after being invited to take part in the 2025 tour events in Australia and New Zealand as he spoke to the media including DartsNews after his World Matchplay opener.

The Belgian star, who stunned the sport by winning the World Grand Prix, was recently named among the World Series line-up, a call-up that surprised even him, given his prior criticism of how selections were handled.

"The World Series isn’t really a tournament I was looking forward to, and definitely not the one in the Netherlands," he previously said at the time.

"If you get invited, you want it to be for an event in Bahrain or Australia — somewhere exciting. Of all the places they hold these tournaments, 's-Hertogenbosch is the last place you'd want to go."

He further clarified said comments and said 'you dream of playing in Bahrain or Australia, not the Netherlands' and he got his wish but stands by his criticism of the format. He was invited to play in Wollongong and Hamilton when the Australia and New Zealand legs take place.

“I’d still stand by those comments,” De Decker said when asked if his earlier views had changed. “But no added pressure at all. I’m going to enjoy the experience and it’s been a good follow-up.”

Though pleased with the recognition, De Decker admitted the invitation came out of the blue. “Well, I didn’t expect it, because everyone knows what my opinion was on the World Series in Holland and in the Premier League. So I didn’t expect it, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Yeah, it was a European Tour in Kiel and I got a message — no, a phone call from my manager. And I thought he said, ‘I have some bad news,’ and I was like, ‘Come on, now what?’ But he said, ‘No, no, no — you’re going to Australia and New Zealand.’ So that was a confidence boost.”

And for De Decker, the invitation is about more than a plane ticket — it’s a signal that his form and achievements haven’t gone unnoticed.

“It’s always nice to get an invitation to do something new. And me getting an invite to Australia and New Zealand just shows that the PDC recognises what I did last year. It’s always nice being recognised for what you do. So, yeah, it’s a big confidence boost.”

That boost could prove vital after what De Decker admits has been an inconsistent season since lifting his first major title. Something he also admits mirrored his opener.

“Well, just like you said it — ups and downs, good spells, bad spells. That’s kind of how the game went.”

“Yeah, a lot of confidence. I haven’t been practising much lately. I moved houses, so playing on the big stage and doing certain shots at certain times — it feels really good.”

Asked whether he’d met the expectations he set after the Grand Prix win, De Decker gave a balanced response.

“Yes and no. My majors after the World Grand Prix were decent. I played some good games at the Grand Slam and at the Players Championship Finals. And then at the World Championships, it kind of went downhill.”

“And then I changed the mission, got new darts, and I’m still trying to get fully confident again. So yeah, that’s how it goes for the last six months — ups and downs.”

His World Championship loss to Luke Humphries was disappointing, but he gave credit where it was due. “It was disappointing, but Luke is a phenomenal player as well — like everyone who is playing in the World Championships. So I knew I had to play well, and I didn’t, and he played well. So I was disappointed that I lost, but I wasn’t surprised.”

As for whether he feared his past comments might affect his World Series selection: "Worried? No, because if they didn’t invite me then that’s their choice. So no, I wasn’t really worried.”

De Decker also spoke honestly about his preparation heading into Blackpool. "Well, I just hoped I played well — win or lose. It may be wrong to say, but it didn’t really matter. I just wanted to play well on stage. It’s a bonus that I won.”

Carrying the hopes of Belgium in the tournament, he shrugged off any added burden. “No, not at all. That’s all just noise around me, and I’m not really afraid of anything.”

Still, he admits he's some way off the level that brought him Grand Prix glory. “Still far away though. It’s a challenge.”

Asked whether being a reigning major champion changes the pressure dynamic, De Decker pointed the finger at the media:

“Maybe, but it’s from all the media and you guys because you’re saying, ‘Oh, he’s a major champion and he has to prove himself. What else is he doing?’ Putting it in articles. I’m just doing the same thing as before.”

But despite everything, he concedes that confidence is growing.

“Yeah, a bit more confident than I was a couple of hours ago.”