"I'll come back stronger than ever" - Jurjen van der Velde aims for quick return to PDC Pro Tour

The name Jurjen van der Velde will ring a bell with many darts fans. The Dutch talent has long been regarded as one of the brightest prospects of his generation. Now 22, he has already experienced both highs and lows: youthful triumphs, a breakthrough onto the Pro Tour, but also the disappointment of losing his PDC Tour Card. Still, Van der Velde carries himself with the conviction that his story is far from over.

In a wide-ranging conversation on Tungsten Talk, he reflected on his career so far, the setbacks, and his ambitions for the future.

It all began in the summer of 2010, when a young Van der Velde happened to catch a legendary clash at the World Matchplay on television: Phil Taylor against Terry Jenkins.

Not long after, a dartboard was hanging in his bedroom, and Van der Velde began to practise obsessively. At first it was just training in his room, but the competitive circuit soon beckoned. He was only 12 or 13 when he wanted to play his first local tournament. Most events were held in pubs and ran late into the night, which was tricky. Then he saw a youth tournament advertised on Facebook. His mother took him along — and Van der Velde immediately won his very first event. “I hit a couple of 180s and I was nervous with every dart, but I still won. The organiser said straight away: you need to go on the Dutch ranking.”

The support of his family proved crucial. His sister also plays to a high level, even competing on the Women’s Series, though her career is currently on hold due to her studies.“It’s important to have your family behind you,” stresses Van der Velde. “Darts is a lonely sport. If you win, you’re often sitting in your hotel room on your own. And if you lose, it’s even tougher. You need someone to fall back on. My mum and sister understand what it means to play on the Tour.”

His first major international breakthrough came in 2018, when he won the Winmau World Youth Masters in Bridlington. In the final he beat Ireland’s Keane Barry, who had also been his opponent at that year’s European Youth Cup. Van der Velde was just 16.“That was really a breakthrough moment. A big stage, plenty of nerves, but also the realisation: I can win big titles.”

From that point things moved quickly. He made the Development Tour his battleground, and with consistent results he claimed a PDC Tour Card in 2022, finishing second on the ranking.

His debut year at the top level made an immediate impression. Van der Velde found himself up against big names like Steve Beaton and Raymond van Barneveld. “I beat both of them in my first weekend. That gave me confidence,” he remembers.

Sustaining that level, though, proved a challenge. “Sometimes I didn’t play my own game. The standard is so high, every mistake is punished. In the end, I lost my Tour Card.”

It was a harsh lesson, but not the end of the story. As pundit Paul Nicholson noted on the show: “Sometimes you have to take a step back to come back stronger. And that’s exactly what Jurjen is doing right now.”

Falling back to the Challenge Tour or Development Tour is often seen as a setback, but Van der Velde sees it differently. “I’ve already won tournaments here. The standard is high, you play on stage, and it prepares you for what’s next. Every experience makes you stronger.”

The importance of resilience was underlined by a painful defeat in November last year. He prefers not to dwell on it, but admits it was one of the toughest moments of his career. “I missed doubles I’d normally never miss. It stayed in my head for days. But in the end it motivates me to train harder. You don’t want to go through that kind of moment again.”

Like so many young players, Van der Velde had his heroes. Gary Anderson was his favourite. “His throw is the smoothest in the world, beautiful to watch.”

When he finally got to face the Scot on stage, it was a surreal moment. “He took out a 154 finish against me at a crucial time. Of course you’re disappointed, but at the same time you’ve only got respect. That’s why I love darts.”

Another unforgettable moment was facing Steve Beaton, the evergreen crowd favourite and 1996 world champion. “To play against such a legend as a young player, and then beat him, that’s something you carry with you forever.”

Right now Van der Velde sits sixth on the Development Tour ranking, a position that keeps him in the race for places at the World Championship in Alexandra Palace and the UK Open. He is also enjoying his first appearance at the Modus Super Series in Portsmouth. “It’s my first time on this stage, but I love it. The level is high, I played in a group with Steve Beaton and even beat him. That gives you a buzz.”

The coming months will be about consistency and preparation. Local leagues, tournaments, and plenty of training are all part of the plan as he chases his bigger goals. “The World Championship is the ultimate target at the end of the year. But first I’m hoping to get onto the Grand Slam of Darts stage. I’m really looking forward to that.”

What does the future hold? Van der Velde remains grounded but determined. “I want to get back to the Pro Tour, but it has to be step by step. First success on the Development and Challenge Tours, then make the jump again. I’m still young, I’ve got time. The most important thing is to enjoy the game and keep working on my development.”

Nicholson is equally convinced: “Wherever Jurjen plays, he succeeds. He’s got the right mentality, the talent, and the resilience. His return to the Pro Tour is only a matter of time.”