Noppert prepares for finest and longest journey in his darts career: ''Have already purchased a Nintendo Switch with two controllers''

Danny Noppert, to the surprise of many, did not receive an invitation to Premier League Darts early this season after winning one of the major tournaments (UK Open) in 2022.

A fitting reward came later as 'The Freeze' does get to compete in the two World Series tournaments in 'Down Under' in August. First they will travel to New Zealand and a week later an event in Australia is scheduled.

''Of course it's nice that the PDC invited me to play these tournaments. It's a bit different from England and Germany, so I'm really looking forward to it. I will leave on Sunday, so I will pack my suitcase on Saturday. My little brother is going with me, so we'll make something nice out of it'', he said in a preview with TOTO Dart Kings.

It will be a long trip. The brothers first have a 12-hour flight to Singapore, then transfer to the flight to New Zealand. This one also takes more than nine hours.

''My little brother has already bought a Nintendo Switch with two controllers. Then we can do some games, like FIFA and Mario. Also watch a little series. You have to do something... You have to pass the time. I once went on vacation to Bali, which is also a seventeen-hour flight, so I know what to expect, but I'm willing to do it.

Once Noppert has arrived in New Zealand, he will have a few more days off before ''The Freeze'' has work obligations. ''I'm going to see what the jet lag is like first. We have rest until Wednesday, and on Thursday we have things with the press and the tournament starts on Friday. If I feel good I do want to visit some things.''

Whether we can call this trip a vacation in disguise? ''I'm there for the darts, of course, but we are going to see things. The vacation doesn't start for me until after New Zealand and Australia. Then I'm going away with my family to Greece for 10 days. Then it's really vacation for me.''

A darts career consists of making many trips, mainly to playing venues in England and Germany. Then an adventure in New Zealand and Australia is different cake. ''This will definitely be the best trip I will make as a darter. I've never been so far away for darts. In the BDO era I have been to Turkey, but never outside Europe. That does make it special.''

Noppert hopes to have the opportunity to move around Oceania on an electric scooter. ''I always like to explore the city on an electric scooter and ride around a bit. Then you come across some things and start exploring what else there is to do. But it shouldn't be 25 kilometers or 30 kilometers away, because then it's a long ride on a scooter like that. Then we'll take a cab. We'll see, it will all work out.''

Last year, the darter from Joure noticed that he did not come out of the summer break well because he had left the darts out too long. Noppert does not expect this problem to arise again this year.

''Then indeed I had startup problems after I was doing very well at first. Then I was on vacation and I needed some time to get going. Now of course I have the World Series, so it makes a difference that I can throw that one. After that I will be away for ten days, that should be manageable'', said Noppert.