“I’ve been waiting for this maybe more than ten years” - Karel Sedlacek makes Czech darts history with breakthrough PDC title

Karel Sedlacek made Czech darts history on Wednesday as a dramatic 8-7 victory over Scott Williams in the Players Championship 30 final secured the biggest title of his career.

The 47-year-old became the first Czech player ever to win a PDC ranking title, finally making his breakthrough after more than a decade competing on the professional circuit.

Sedlacek was visibly emotional after sealing victory in Den Bosch. "I don't know what I can say, but yeah, for me it's a really special time," he said. "I think I've been waiting for this maybe more than ten years, and now it's a reality. That's crazy. Thank you."

His victory did not come without a scare. Sedlacek missed a number of opportunities to close out the final, allowing Williams to force the contest all the way to a deciding leg. "Like I said, for me Scott is a good player. If I miss, I think, five match darts, I say, 'Yeah, what can I do more? What do you want more?' But be careful, step by step, and you can get there. And yeah, I did it."

Sedlacek had already fought his way past a string of seeded players and established names before reaching the final, completing a run he admitted still felt difficult to comprehend afterwards. "It still feels like a dream and yeah, I'm really happy," he said.

Recent performances had nevertheless given him reason to believe a breakthrough could be coming. "Last Saturday, when I lost again in Germany, I said, 'You play well. You stay on this way and we'll see.' My wife said to me, 'You can do it,' and I've done it. It's perfect."

Sedlacek's success also ended a wait stretching far beyond his own career. No Czech player had previously won a PDC ranking title. "Everything. Everything. I've played for more than 30 years and now I've done it. I don't know what to say. For me, I think this is the top of my career now. Yeah, I am really happy."

His route to this point has included earning a PDC Tour Card, dropping off the professional circuit and fighting his way back. Now firmly established on tour again, Sedlacek believes his game is still moving forward.

"Yeah, I still feel better and better. I still feel stronger and I know I can play like that. I know it, but I need more and more matches. Now it's perfect. What can I say? What can I say more? For me, it's perfect. I don't know what to say, sorry. I'm really happy. I don't know what I've done. This is perfect."

Sedlacek has also watched darts continue to develop in Czechia, where he has long been one of the country's most recognisable players. "Yeah, it is growing. Darts is growing in the Czech Republic day by day. There are still more and more players, and good players, I think. We now have, I think, really good young players."

After more than 30 years in the sport, Sedlacek now has the landmark PDC title that had eluded both him and every Czech player before him.