“My manager said to me, when I play darts I look miserable” – Dave Chisnall searching for happiness in darts once again

Dave Chisnall picked up a vital boost at the Baltic Sea Darts Open. The Englishman reached the last sixteen of a European Tour event for the first time this season, seemingly drawing a line under a difficult spell.

After his 6-4 win over Joe Cullen, “Chizzy” spoke candidly about his slump in form, the extra practice hours he has put in over recent weeks, and the mental shift that has restored his confidence.

Chisnall endured a stuttering start to the season in recent months. The St Helens thrower only sporadically hit his usual level and has been waiting a long time for a standout result on a big stage. His last quarterfinal at a major dates back to 2024, which only fueled the growing doubts in recent times.

At the Baltic Sea Darts Open, however, Chisnall showed he still has the qualities that made him a mainstay of the world’s elite for years. Against Joe Cullen he trailed 4-3, but three straight legs turned the match on its head. His doubling made the difference in particular. Chisnall took six of his eleven checkout chances and averaged 92.44.

Afterwards, the Englishman was visibly relieved. Although he admitted his game was not perfect yet, for the first time in a long while he felt belief in his own ability again. “I played alright, there were some slack darts but that is what I have been doing all year,” Chisnall said. “I felt good this week coming into it as well. I felt really confident in my own game.”

That confidence did not come out of nowhere. Chisnall indicated he has invested more time in practice over the past weeks than earlier this season. Those extra efforts meant he started the tournament with a much more positive mindset. “I have actually now put a little bit of time in at home practising. I said to the boys last night I have a good chance here. I am feeling very positive.”

Alongside the extra practice, a mental shift also played a key role. According to Chisnall, his manager Roger pointed out that he often looked unhappy on stage during matches. That demeanor wasn’t only visible to the crowd, but could also be having a negative impact on his own performance. “It’s like my manager Roger said to me, when I play darts I’m looking miserable. I am not happy," said Chisnall. “It’s probably because of my performances but today I felt good and I gave myself a little bit of belief and be happy up here."

That new approach seemed to pay off immediately. Although Chisnall admitted his scoring power wasn’t quite at the desired level yet, he stayed calm at the key moments. It was his clinical finishing that kept Cullen at bay. “That is what worked to be fair. My doubles were good. I was a bit dodgy on the scoring but that is how it is. I got the job done and I am here on Sunday.”

This upturn comes at a crucial moment for Chisnall. With the busy second half of the darts year looming, a strong run on the European Tour could spark a revival of his season. The Englishman has often shown in the past that confidence is a decisive factor in his game. When he plays with freedom and finds his rhythm, he remains one of the most dangerous players on the circuit.

The display in Kiel will not simply be viewed as a place in the last sixteen, but above all as a sign that Chisnall is moving in the right direction again. After months of frustration and disappointing results, “Chizzy” appears to have rediscovered the joy in his game. And perhaps that is the most important win of all.