Jelle Klaasen returns to ProTour after two year absence: "I enjoyed my time at the WDF but it's time to get back"

The former Lakeside World Champion is back, Jelle Klaasen will play on the ProTour again in 2024/2025 after winning through European Q-School on Day Two of the final stage.

Klaasen who played at Lakeside again and went from being a Premier League player to being in the darting wilderness has faced an uphill battle to get back but admitted he needed the other tournaments and time away from the ProTour to regroup and get back to his confident self.

"It's been two long years. I enjoyed my time at the WDF but it's time to get back here," said Klaasen.

"I think it helped a lot (to play other tournaments) as this year the Challenge Tour didn't go as planned, for me to get my game back I needed the WDF, I got some confidence with the tournaments. So many problems with my arm, not with my wrist but I have so many physical problems and sometimes it was really hard but I work hard the last few days and it has finally paid off."

There were a few close shaves for 'The Cobra', but it was all about getting over the line in the end.

"Could have made it easier for myself as I was scoring well but missing doubles but I won so I don't care."

Having been a top seven player, he says consistency is the name of the game something he admits he didn't have prior in his first run.

"I've always been a good player, just not consistent. So I think I can be way more consistent. I've been in the top 7 so I know I can do it. But that was without winning any tournaments."