Mike de Decker looks back on World Darts Championship 2024: ''It's about time I survived Christmas''

Mike de Decker was the only Belgian participant at the 2024 World Darts Championship to win a match. In the podcast Double Top he looked back on his 2023 season and his Ally Pally performance.

In the first round of the World Darts Championship 2024, Mike de Decker played against German, Dragutin Horvat. He won this match 3-0 in sets. ''After my victory in the first round I was very happy. You just don't want to lose in the first round, whether it's a television tournament or a floor tournament.''

Then De Decker had to face world No. 32 Madars Razma in the second round. "The second match was a lot less. I said in interviews before the World Championships that it's about time I survived Christmas. I have never made it past the second round at the World Championship, so it's about time I made a deep run. In terms of the draw, this was definitely a year that would have been possible."

He lost the match against Razma 3-1 in sets. In this match, De Decker managed to hit only 7 of his 27 darts on the double. "I had a lot of chances. I felt I was the better player on that stage. When you create chances and don't take them, you give the initiative back to your opponent.''

Despite Razma taking a lot of time in his matches, Decker wasn't bothered by that. ''He always does that. It's much more irritating when a player who has a normal pace suddenly starts slowing down. Then you know it's meant to take you out of your game.''

Despite the somewhat disappointing ending, Mike de Decker did have a good season in2023. He made his debut at the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix and reached his first PDC ranking final. Still, De Decker doesn't dare call 2023 a breakthrough year. ''Breakthrough is done on the major tournaments and not on the Pro Tour. The floor tournaments are just a stepping stone to the major tournaments, where you really have to show yourself and the big money is earned. At the major tournaments, the good level comes out in fits and starts, so I know it's in there."