"I'm doing well, but annoying that so many untruths appear" - Kim Huybrechts still hopes for quick comeback

Kim Huybrechts underwent successful surgery for a collarbone fracture last week. 'The Hurricane' has not given up hope of competing in the qualifying tournament for the Flanders Darts Trophy in a few weeks.

Huybrechts was beaten up after the football match Antwerp-Union (final Cup of Belgium), suffering a double fracture of his collarbone. Meanwhile, he is already fully engaged in rehabilitation. "The physiotherapist is very satisfied with the mobility of my shoulder and arm," Huybrechts told HLN.

"I can rotate and turn it nicely. The fracture is fairly in front, at my sternum. All my tendons are intact, purely the bone is broken in two places. That's hopeful."

"I'm doing well," Huybrechts continued. "I'm a little tired, because sleeping is extremely difficult. I can only lie on one side, and after a while that gets annoying. Sleeping is difficult, and especially because I like to sleep. (laughs) But in terms of pain, it's not too bad. So I can't complain too hard."

Huybrechts is still hoping for a quick comeback. "After all, in four weeks there is a very important qualifying tournament for the Flanders Darts Trophy with two Pro Tours that same week. We talked about that. The surgeon thinks it's fast, but not unfeasible. If I were to enter that one, it would be with pain anyway. But there are painkillers for that. It's going to be tough, though. I'm going to have to do my exercises very well, and rest well. Find the combination between rest and work. Not overworking, but also not sitting still for too long."

The 38-year-old Belgian does struggle mentally at times. "It's difficult. I hear stories from journalists that contain a lot of untruths. I have indeed had a shorter fuse in the past. I don't let myself, I'm known for that. But this was an event that I could do very little about. In that respect, I did give it a place."

"But some reactions are unfortunate. Especially for my family. Family members read that too and people tend to forget that. I try to care less about it all. We try to make the best of it. It has happened. I have wonderful people who support me. My wife, in-laws, friends..."