“It’s obviously a bit of an act” – Wessel Nijman sees through James Wade’s mind games but still falls for them
PDCSunday, 20 September 2026 at 09:30
Wessel Nijman failed to reach the quarter-finals of the World Series of Darts Finals. The Dutchman went down 10-7 to James Wade on Saturday evening in Amsterdam. The way the match slipped from his grasp was what frustrated Nijman most afterwards.
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“That’s hard to say,” Nijman told Viaplay when asked how he reflected on his performance. “In the first session I think I’m behind unnecessarily. In the second session I put it right very well, especially with that 80 finish for 6-6.”
Right then, however, came a break. That interruption came at a very bad time for Nijman by his own admission. “That second break really didn’t suit me, because that’s when I was just getting into it. In the next session I simply start too weak and he pulls away.”
Against an experienced player like Wade, that deficit proved hard to repair. “Then you know he won’t make mistakes on his own legs anymore. He breaks once and then it becomes very difficult.”
Wade’s well-known playing style also came up afterwards. The Englishman often takes his time over everything and slows the pace of the match. Nijman knew what to expect, but admitted it may still have had an impact.
“It’s a bit of an act, of course”
“You know it’s there and you know he does it. It’s a bit of an act how he does it,” said Nijman. “That’s his experience. He’s allowed to do that, because he’s not doing anything that’s not allowed. But that act does mean that maybe subconsciously, certainly at the start of that first session, I don’t really get into my rhythm.”
Nijman didn’t want to pin the defeat entirely on that. “You know he’s going to do it and that it’s going to happen. Still he manages it and that’s just a real shame. I still think that if I just come back normally after that second break, it’s in my own hands.”
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In terms of level, Nijman had little to reproach himself. Wade recorded an average of just over 101 and a 63% checkout rate, while Nijman averaged around 98.5 and hit 41 percent of his doubles.
“They’re small chances,” he analysed. “Once I have two darts at 24, miss inside on double 6 and once I miss the bull. Then maybe I could have swung the match the other way. But even then: I just have to come out of that second break better. Then I think it becomes my match, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.”
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The fact that Nijman once again gained a valuable big-stage experience offered little comfort. His closing line made clear he now wants more than lessons from these matches. “I’m getting a bit tired of all those experiences. It’s time I deliver and really break through.”
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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