"I'm just happy ticking over at the minute until I can get an operation” – Callan Rydz may postpone necessary wrist surgery in pursuit of success at Alexandra Palace

Callan Rydz appears to be gradually finding his old form again. The Englishman has shown flashes of what he can do in recent months, but he has also been dealing with several problems away from the spotlight. He has not only been through a difficult time in his personal life but has also been playing for some time with a painful wrist injury that requires surgery. In an interview with Online Darts, Rydz discusses his physical problems, the threats he receives from angry gamblers and the special role his late grandfather played in his career.

Rydz appeared on camera with a smile at Bradmore Farm for the launch of Unicorn’s new 2027 products. The Englishman enjoys events like these, where he can catch up with fellow players and other familiar faces from the darts world. "It's different, isn't it? You get to see all the lads sponsored by Unicorn and some other people here. It's good to see all the new products coming out, and I think everyone will be pleased with this launch.”

Rydz has had good experiences trying out new darts. Last year, at the same event, he was introduced to the Wraith darts, which he then began using in competition.

“With the Wraith darts, as you say, I was in the dark and didn't know I was getting them. I had a practice with them that day and thought, "Yeah, I'll take a set home." I fell in love with them. I was playing Super League and all that with them, then started playing Pro Tours with them, and I got used to them very quickly. So, yeah, I've stuck with them.”

Rydz also seems to be moving in the right direction on the oche. Strong performances in qualifying events have earned him a place in competitions including the World Series of Darts Finals. The Englishman says his improved form is largely down to changes in his personal circumstances.

“I'm just finding my feet again. I've had a few troubles away from darts, with my personal life, and I just feel a lot happier. I feel like I'm getting back to my normal self.”

However, one significant obstacle is still preventing him from consistently reaching his best level. Rydz revealed that he has been struggling with his wrist for some time.

"I think everyone knows that when I'm on it, I can be up there, but at the same time, I'm not a robot. I've got injuries to deal with. My wrist isn't 100 per cent at all. If I'm winning games, I'm just happy ticking over at the minute until I can get an operation."

The injury stems from an old fracture that never healed properly. During the interview, Rydz moved his wrist, producing a clearly audible clicking sound.

"It's an old fracture from years ago that just hasn't healed properly, and it's causing pain now and again. But when you're doing this, it's an easy excuse if you get beaten, so you've just got to try to crack on with it."

The operation is expected to keep him out for around six weeks. However, when he has it will depend on how he performs at the upcoming PDC World Darts Championship.

"I said that if I have a bad World Championship or whatever, I'd just get it done then. I'd probably miss the Masters and the first two Pro Tours, but then I'd be back fully fit. It just depends. If I have a good World Championship, I'll have to keep playing in pain."

The latter is clearly his preference. “I'd rather have a good World Championship and be in pain than have to sit back and watch. Well, not watch darts. I don't watch darts. I'll keep an eye on the results, but I don't really pay much attention to it.

Alongside his physical problems, Rydz also faces the less pleasant side of life as a professional darts player. The abuse from angry gamblers particularly bothers him. The Englishman says some people go far too far.

“We get an absolute hell of a lot of stick. All darts players do, not just me or any of the lads here or away from all this. Because someone has had a 50p bet on, they feel they have the right to start threatening my family and saying all sorts of crap."

The constant negativity has prompted Rydz to step back from social media. He is particularly keen to avoid X, formerly Twitter.

"That's probably the only thing about this sport I really haven't got much time for. I've taken myself off Twitter completely. My account is still there, but I can't remember the last time I posted anything on it. I took it off my phone because it's the most toxic place I've ever seen in my life. So, just being away from that is sound."

Despite all the setbacks, Rydz is looking forward to the World Darts Championship with great enthusiasm. He has produced some of his best darts at Alexandra Palace in the past. He even jokes that one world title would be enough for him to end his career not long afterwards.

"I've always said, as I've said to you before, that if I'm going to be a one-hit wonder anywhere, that's the place I'd love to be a one-hit wonder. I've already planned it out. If I won it this year, I'd retire two years later, after being in the top four."

His dislike of travelling so much also plays a part. “I'd miss the lads and everything, but the travel... I'm not in the Premier League and I whinge about the travel. If I was in the Premier League, the interviews you'd be getting from me wouldn't be happy ones.”

The conversation then took an emotional turn as Rydz remembered his late grandfather, who played a huge role in his development as a darts player.

"He dedicated the last 13 years of his life to driving me everywhere for tournaments," Rydz said. "He was on holiday once with my uncle Kevin, Ali, his partner, and my grandma, who was still around at the time. They were on a caravan break, and he drove down from Seahouses in Northumberland to pick me up and drop me off in Durham. I had enough averages back then to get an England spot."

That journey meant a great deal to Rydz, as it helped him record enough official averages to qualify for a place in the England team. “I've still got the shirt, that England shirt that I've got on the jacket, and that'll always be a moment I'll never forget, the fact that he did that for me.”

Over the next few years, Rydz’s main ambition is to compete regularly in the major televised tournaments again. The World Matchplay and World Grand Prix are high on his wish list.

“Listen, if that one moment of glory comes, happy days. But I think now I'd definitely like to try to get back into the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix, even though my Grand Prix record is brilliant — three times, four legs! Brilliant,” he joked.

The World Matchplay has a special significance for the Englishman. “I loved the Matchplay when I was there. I was lucky enough to have my grandad there with me one year, so I'd love to get back to the Matchplay next year.”

To reach those goals, Rydz plans to play more European Tour qualifiers in 2027. He is pleased that most of next season’s qualifiers will take place before the Players Championships.

"If it happens, yeah. If it happens, it happens. Obviously, the European Tour qualifiers are difficult. I'm glad they've put them on the first days before the Pro Tours next year."

Rydz admits he regularly chose to skip qualifiers this season. “I think I've pulled out of eight European Tours after the first one this year, probably just because I wasn't playing well enough, to be fair. That's on me, but next year I think I'm going to try my best to get into everything.”