"I’ve given myself a kick up the backside, put the work in, and it’s paying off" – Reborn Chris Dobey aims to use Premier League and World Series as fuel

Chris Dobey has underlined with his recent display that he is determined to make 2026 a pivotal year in his career. The Englishman blended flair with resilience and showed he can not only shine, but also survive when a match swings.

Dobey edged a gripping second-round duel at the Winmau World Masters 2026 4–3 against Damon Heta. What stood out most was the calm Dobey exuded. Where in previous years he could get carried away by emotions or outside expectations, he now looked relaxed, almost nonchalant. He admits he has worked on that deliberately. “It’s what I’ve got to do this year. Not being in the Premier League and not in the first few World Series, I want to be there, so I’ve got to start performing on stage,” Dobey explained. “I’ve given myself a kick up the backside, put the work in, and it’s paying off so far.”

He has drilled that message into himself more than once in recent months. Dobey admitted he gave himself a serious kick up the backside. Extra practice hours, more focus and above all: taking responsibility for his own career. “I’ve put the work in and so far it’s paying off,” he said.

The match itself had several phases. Dobey started strongly, with heavy scoring and convincing play. He felt good, went into the tie with confidence and, crucially, had the psychological edge of having won his last two matches. That brought calm, especially against an opponent he had not beaten often historically. “It’s an opponent I very rarely win against, and to win the last three now, it’s a big boost for me,” Dobey acknowledged.

It was anything but a straightforward evening, though. Just as Dobey seemed to have control, his opponent struck with an impressive 138 checkout and flipped the match completely. “That’s the kind of player he is,” Dobey analysed. “He’s a fantastic player and people underestimate how good of a player he is. I’m not one of them.”

That phase demanded mental resilience. The lead slipped, the match went to a deciding set and the pressure ramped up. According to Dobey, that was the moment he talked to himself. “He got it back to 3–3 and I thought, you’ve got to break them or you’re out,” he recalled. The key turned out to be a superb 127 checkout on the bullseye. It not only won him the leg but also the belief to push through. “The 1–2–7 gives us that confidence to win the next leg. I don’t know where that celebration came from, but it’s a big win.”

What pleased Dobey most was his mental approach. He stressed several times that he wants to play without pressure. That sounds simple, but in a sport where big money, rankings and expectations are in play, it’s easier said than done. “To be honest, it’s not easy,” he admitted. “You’ve just got to relax. It’s a game of darts — forget the money, forget who you’re playing. You want to win every tournament you go into, but you don’t look past your next opponent.”

That philosophy seems to be working. Dobey looks looser than ever and many say this is the most relaxed version of him they’ve seen on stage. He cautiously agrees with that conclusion. “I don’t put any pressure on myself and that’s the way to go into games,” he said. “If I can play my darts, that could be dangerous.” His belief is also bolstered by the fact he has won this tournament before. “I’ve won the tournament before and it’s one I would like to get back now at the end of the event as well.”

Dobey’s stance on media attention and status is striking as well. While some players crave the spotlight and recognition, Dobey is comfortable under the radar. “I don’t mind it,” he said. “I want to be at the top, don’t get us wrong, but all the fuss and the media doesn’t bother me. I just like to go under the radar.” He pointed to an earlier edition of this tournament, when he was repeatedly asked about a possible Premier League place. “I just pushed it aside until I actually won it. It’s not a bad thing to go under the radar.”

Dobey spoke respectfully about his opponents and peers. He was full of praise for Heta. “He’s one of the most consistent players on the floor, goes to every event and he’s very hard to beat,” he said. That he has now beaten him three times on the bounce, Dobey regards as a significant step forward. “To win my last three games against him, it’s a big boost for me.”

The numbers underline his form. Averages around 99, both in this match and earlier against big names, show that Dobey isn’t relying on one-off peaks. In fact, he believes he is playing better than in the year he previously won this tournament. “Back then I was literally just learning,” he reflected. “I hadn’t played Premier League or World Series, and yeah, I am playing better darts now — and there’s even better to come.”

With a tough run looming — potentially against major champions and players from the absolute elite — Dobey remains unflappable. “It doesn’t bother me who I play,” he stated. “If I play well on the day, I’m a hard man to beat.”

Perhaps the biggest gain for Dobey lies in his ability to find solutions under pressure. Even when a comfortable lead disappears and a match turns, he keeps searching for ways to win. “That’s the hardest thing about darts — finding a way to win,” he concluded. “It shows how good a player you can be if you find that way to win, and luckily I pulled something special out in the last set and it was good enough on the day.”