"People are treating you like you've got cancer": Scott Williams defiant in brushing off dartitis social media chatter and stigma surrounding issue

Scott Williams admitted he was far from satisfied with his performance despite opening his Players Championship Finals campaign in Minehead with a hard-fought victory. The 2023 World Championship quarter-finalist produced flashes of quality on stage but revealed he is still wrestling with a niggling issue in his throwing action that has troubled him for months.

Williams, who has been at the centre of social-media debate over his technique in recent weeks, began the Players Championship Finals match strongly but confessed that the rhythm he displayed in practice failed to translate under the lights.

“I’m really disappointed,” he said. “I was throwing really well in the back room, practising with a couple of people, and everything was going in. But on stage I felt like I was taking that little bit more to throw, which I didn’t need to. The throw on that stage is actually really nice. I love it. But I got the win – and that’s what we’re here to do.”

Returning to a main stage setting after several months away, Williams said the buzz of a big crowd is where he feels most at home.

“The main stage is where I want to be – that’s where the fans and the noise are,” he explained. “Reds is awesome, but it’s like Lakeside: they respect your game. Sometimes you just need that little bit of noise to quiet everything down, because when you start thinking too much, that’s when it gets hard.”

Williams was also asked about the much-discussed stutter in his action that surfaced during a recent Pro Tour match which was called dartitis from some.

“It’s something I’ve been suffering with for a while,” he admitted. “As soon as my throw comes back to a certain point, I start to struggle. I could feel it today. I spoke to my manager afterwards and he said it looked lovely and smooth. But I felt awful.”

Although he was frustrated, Williams still registered several 180s and solid finishing. Yet the issue has been significant enough that he has completely overhauled his equipment.

“I’ve had to change equipment massively. This time last year I went to Softex, 18 grams, and I’m doing the same again today. It’s a big change and it’s really helped. Hopefully tomorrow, whether it’s Josh or Gabriel, I can do the same again – just a little better.”

Pressed on whether the problem is physical or psychological, Williams was frank. “I wish I could tell you, because I have no idea. Everyone knows how mentally strong I am. It just started happening.”

He revealed that public discussion of the issue can sometimes increase the pressure. “I appreciate people messaging and talking about it. It's one of those mental things, people are treating you like you've got cancer. But the more people talk, the more I think about it. Usually when someone brings it up, I shut it down. I’m far too good, far too mentally strong for this to take over.”

Despite describing Ian White’s performance as “awful,” Williams stressed that he remains focused only on winning.

“I’m here to win regardless of who it is. I might have one of my best mates next. If I’ve got to beat him, I’ve got to beat him.”

Later in the interview, Williams revealed the timing of when the problem first emerged. “Probably June or July,” he said. “I didn’t think anything of it at first, but in a couple of Pro Tours I noticed it: I’d bring the throw back and feel like I was taking that little bit more time, even when I wasn’t thinking about it.”

Changing darts and trying to shift the mental focus has helped, but he acknowledged the long break from big-stage play hasn’t made things easier. “I’ve not played on stage for eight months, since Munich. I’m trying to find that love and determination again.”

Williams believes his best form comes in front of a crowd—and hopes this run can reignite that spark. “I’ve had unbelievable games on stage, but also drama,” he laughed. “It takes about six hours for me to get here – I’m sick of the drive – but I enjoy my time with friends and the guys I’m here with. I’ve just got to not think about it as much.”

Even in Minehead, Williams found himself pushing too hard to close the match out. “In my head, when I was 2–0 or 3–0 up, I was thinking, ‘You’re better than this.’ I hit a few 13-darters, 14-darters, pushed on, and went that little bit further. I feel good. It’s just one or two throws where the treble goes in and the next dart is two-and-a-half inches high. It’s embarrassing. But I’ll sort it for tomorrow.”

With rumours swirling online, Williams was keen to dismiss speculation. “I’ve never experienced dartitis. Don’t know what it is. People keep labelling stuff all the time. It’s like the old Voldemort – it shall not be named,” he joked. “As soon as people talk about it more, you start believing it. But I’m not having that. I’m just having a spell where it’s not great. I’m going to try my hardest over the next couple of days to make it better and be ready for the Ally Pally.”

Williams is defending £100,000 at the upcoming World Championship, which for the first time carries a £1 million prize fund. But he insists the approach remains the same. “It’s the same as every event: win a game, then the next, then the next. The difference is you only play one game a day, not two, three or four like on the Pro Tour. I can prepare better. I feel good.”

Qualification for both the Players Championship Finals and the Worlds is the marker Williams uses to measure his season. “As long as I qualify for this and the Worlds, I know I’ve done well enough to get my Tour Card for another year or two. I can be one of the best 16 or 32 in the world, but for me it’s a job that pays really well. People come out to see me, I have fans. I just go out game by game and enjoy the games.”