"Nobody tears you down more than people from your own country": Damon Heta hits out at 'disgraceful' DM's from Australian fans amid early World Cup of Darts exit

Australia crashed out of the World Cup of Darts, being defeated by Canada and the United States for a straight exit from the groups at the first hurdle. Now Damon Heta has had his say on social media, hitting out at 'toxic' and 'disgraceful' social media DM's he has received from back home.

Heta, of course, is a former champion in this event, teaming with Simon Whitlock, but after so long as a team and Whitlock being usurped by Adam Leek, who, as a Tour Card holder, gets in automatically, it added a new dynamic at the World Cup of Darts.

But one that no doubt lends itself to criticism given that Whitlock has been part of the furniture for so long. But as Heta pointed out himself, both him and Leek qualified by right so the debate ends there.

He thanked Leek for doing himself justice on stage and hit out at those who have been criticising them in recent days. It was US pairing Adam Sevada and Stowe Buntz, though, who made it through over Canada from Australia's group.

"Unfortunately, that’s the end of the road for Australia in this year’s World Cup. Only a small percentage of people will ever understand what it’s like to pull on their country’s colours and represent them at the highest level. Every single person who wears their country’s jersey steps onto that stage giving 110% and doing everything they can to get the win. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out," said Heta on X.

"I remember my first time on the big stage back in 2014, I got whipped 6–0. I played on stage a few more times between then and my first World Cup in 2020, and let me tell you, there’s no greater pressure than stepping onto that stage in the Green & Gold for the first time.

"You want to do yourself justice, your partner justice, and your country justice. I want to thank Adam for being up on that stage with me and wearing the colours proudly. Fresh on the scene and competing on a stage like that for the first time, he conducted himself well.

"The comments and DMs I’ve read on social media over the last few days have been disgraceful. Nobody tears you down more than people from your own country. This is my seventh World Cup, and I’m a seasoned player, so I know how toxic it is, but it’s still sad to see. Both Adam and I earned our spots, end of story! We’ll see you all back on the World Cup stage in 2027."