11/03/2022

Noppert dreams of more after first PDC major: 'Now I want to win the World Championship'

Danny Noppert won the first PDC Major of his career at the UK Open last Sunday. The Freeze still can't quite grasp it.

A lot has changed in Noppert's life this past year, not only did he win his first major, he also became a father for the first time. But fatherhood doesn't make Noppert perform less strong. "I need that distraction. I haven't been able to practice much and suddenly I win this tournament. I have had that before. To be busy with darts is nothing new for me", Noppert said to Sportnieuws.nl.

Why UK Open champion Danny Noppert will be missing from European Tour this weekend

Much bigger than Lakeside

Noppert played the final of the BDO World Championships in 2017, but rates this title higher. "There is so much coming at me now. All the media wanting interviews. I got a lot of messages. I may have played that final at Lakeside, but this is much, much bigger."

The 31-year-old Dutchman is only the fourth Dutchman to succeed in winning a PDC Major, moreover, thanks to this victory he moves up to 12th in the world rankings.

"I used to watch the world ranking a lot. It was important too. First the top 64, I had to be in there. Then you move up to top 32 and then I thought: 'Where is this going? Then I was between 20 and 25 for a long time and now in one fell swoop I was 12th. Soon I can play the World Cup on behalf of the Netherlands with Michael van Gerwen, that's very special."

Noppert is also realistic about his level in the final of the UK Open against Michael Smith. "That was not my best level. It was such a tough day. 20 minutes after the semi-final I was already preparing for the final. Then you get over-concentrated. Your head wants to go, but it doesn't go the way it should. Luckily, Michael had that too.

Winning the World Championship

This first major title makes Noppert long for more success. "Well it's quiet for the moment in terms of major tournaments. My dream of winning a major has come true, now I want to win the World Championship. Why not, eh? Keep going and what comes my way, comes my way.