“Sometimes that realisation is hard, but it's okay. I'm always there for him” – Gian van Veen’s girlfriend sacrifices own career to support talented Dutchman

Gian van Veen secured a place in the final of the PDC World Darts Championship on Friday night. With his win over Gary Anderson, the Dutchman reached the showpiece at Alexandra Palace, where he will face Luke Littler on Saturday night. In the arena, Van Veen can once again count on the support of his girlfriend Kyana Frauenfelder, who follows his performances up close and has been a constant presence throughout his Worlds campaign.

Frauenfelder is no casual spectator. She knows the darts world from the inside and regularly steps up to the oche herself. Still, she has consciously put her own ambitions on the back burner to make room for her partner’s career. "I want to see what's in it for me for another two years, but I'm 100 percent behind Gian and have to figure out how my own life fits into that," she told the AD. "Sometimes that realisation is hard, but it's okay. I'm always there for him. His darts are much more important."

The relationship between Van Veen and Frauenfelder goes back years. They met at a young age through her brother, although there wasn’t an immediate spark. They have now been together for over six years, and Kyana has become a familiar face during Van Veen’s matches, especially with the Worlds nearing its climax. Anyone watching Van Veen on stage will notice he often glances towards the VIP box. That’s no coincidence. During his matches, Frauenfelder acts as a kind of mirror. "If I see him do something I don't like, he can tell by my face. Even if he does something well," she says. Words are often unnecessary.

She doesn’t shy away from being critical, especially when Van Veen lets emotions get the better of him. “But against Madars Razma he was, for example, complaining a lot. If there’s something I hate…” With that, she makes clear she’s not just a supporter, but also keeps an eye on his demeanor on stage.

Van Veen’s performances at this Worlds have made a strong impression, not least on his partner. “I can’t express how proud I am,” says Frauenfelder, who will once again be in the arena on Saturday night when Van Veen takes on Littler. Her presence seems to provide a calming anchor for Van Veen amid the frenzy of the Worlds.

That fits the image the 23-year-old Dutchman projects on stage: composed, friendly, and rarely rattled. Outside the darts world, Van Veen is no ordinary player either. As a former aerospace engineering student, he is known as analytical and articulate. With a smile, Frauenfelder adds a caveat. “But smart boys also make dumb mistakes sometimes.”