"Maybe more security for the crowd, but it’s difficult": Ricardo Pietreczko laments whistling problem with solution mooted

Ricardo Pietreczko held his nerve in a tense five-set encounter at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, edging past Dave Chisnall 3–2 to continue his impressive record on the Alexandra Palace stage.

The German star surged into a 2–0 lead before Chisnall mounted a strong comeback, forcing a deciding fifth set in front of a lively and often partisan crowd. Reflecting on the contest, Pietreczko admitted the win was particularly satisfying given the momentum shifts throughout the match. “Yeah, it’s a very good feeling about this 3–2 win because I led 2–0 and then Chisnall came better and better in the game,” Pietreczko said post match as per DartsNews.

As Chisnall clawed his way back into the match, Pietreczko felt the pressure, especially with the crowd heavily involved. “I think it’s a little bit of pressure on me. He plays with the crowd behind him,” he explained. “But after the second leg in the fifth set, the crowd was behind me. It’s a 50–50 thing. It was very important for me to win this fifth set because in the fourth set the crowd was behind Chisnall.”

Chisnall’s scoring power was a major factor in the middle stages, something Pietreczko was keenly aware of as the match progressed. “After the third set, he was playing very well. He was hitting a lot of 180s. I was playing nothing,” he admitted. “But I know I can throw more 140s than his 180s, and I think that was the difference in this game.”

The tension of the contest was evident in Pietreczko’s emotions, particularly as he tried to keep himself composed heading into the deciding moments. “I must say my hand was very shaky after the fourth set, and it was very difficult for me to keep it under control,” he said. “I scream at the board for every 100 when I only throw one treble. I scream at the board like, ‘Why now?’ You can hear it in my voice.”

Crowd behaviour was a recurring theme in the post-match discussion, with Pietreczko making a clear distinction between different types of noise. “The booing is not the problem, but the whistling is,” he said. “With the whistling, the concentration is missed in the moment, and I think every player hates it.”

Asked whether anything could realistically be done to address whistling inside a packed Alexandra Palace, Pietreczko admitted the issue was a difficult one. “I don’t know. Maybe more security for the crowd, but it’s difficult. It’s loud whistling — I can’t really say what can be done right now.”

He also revealed that it isn’t something regularly discussed among players backstage. “No, we don’t speak backstage about this,” he said. “I think nobody can change the crowd because it’s happening. You can say to the crowd, ‘Don’t whistle,’ but everyone knows the crowd doesn’t change.”

Despite the external challenges, Pietreczko once again produced when it mattered most on the sport’s biggest stage, extending his record of reaching at least the third round on every World Championship appearance. “I don’t know why,” he smiled. “I love stages. I can say it every time — I love stages.”

The deciding leg brought its own moment of uncertainty, with Pietreczko admitting he initially wasn’t aware Chisnall was throwing for the match. “I didn’t see he had match darts at first,” he explained. “I think it was the second leg, he wins, okay. Then I hear the caller say something and I think, ‘Okay, it must be 2–2.’ Then I know it’s important.”

Looking ahead, Pietreczko will face Andreas Harrysson in the third round, and he’s hopeful of continuing his run. “I hope for a good game. Maybe I can beat him and maybe I can be in the fourth round,” he said.

Despite progressing, Pietreczko was candid about his performance level, believing there is still room for improvement. “I look game by game,” he said. “Next time I hope I play a little bit better. I think I had an 89 average.”

As for his animated reactions on stage — shouting at the board after missed opportunities — Pietreczko sees it as something that comes and goes. “It’s different,” he explained. “Sometimes I need it, sometimes I don’t. It’s a day feeling for me.”