Struggling Jules van Dongen ponders retirement after US Darts Masters: “The darts are going back in the case”

Jules van Dongen admits he’s been dragging himself through a crisis of form for the past 18 months — and now the Dutch-American is seriously considering stepping away from the sport altogether, at least for a while.

“Once this run is over, the darts are going back in the case,” Van Dongen told Sportnieuws.nl ahead of the 2025 US Darts Masters. “It’s time for a full reset.”

Known as "The Dutch Dragon," Van Dongen is trying to approach Madison Square Garden with as little pressure as possible. His performances have dipped, and he’s been wrestling with doubts about whether to compete at all.

“One day I say I’m not playing, the next I’m back in again — but for now, I’ll be up there on the stage,” he joked. “Expectations are lower now, and that actually helps. At the UK Open, not everyone realised how badly things were going. By now, it’s pretty clear.”

This year’s US Darts Masters carries an emotional significance for Van Dongen, as his parents will be in the crowd for the first time.

“They’ve been trying to come for three years,” he explained. “Covid stopped them the first time, then my dad tested positive, and last year my mum was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, she’s now fully recovered. That alone makes this event unmissable for me.”

Also in the audience will be his children — making the moment even more poignant.

With seven Premier League stars — including a returning Michael van Gerwen — and Damon Heta among the contenders, Van Dongen is under no illusions about the challenge ahead. But if he had his pick, he’d love to face a familiar rival. “Danny Lauby would be ideal,” he said. “It’d be nice to get some payback for our early World Cup of Darts exit.”

As always, the North American qualifiers are drawn against top-seeded opposition in the first round — and Van Dongen isn’t shying away from it. “Van Gerwen’s fine,” he smirked.

At that point, Dutch compatriot Vincent van der Voort cut in with a laugh: “That’s the lame versus the blind!” Van Dongen fired back: “Then we’ll grab a beer afterwards — we’ll both need one.”

Whether this truly marks the end of Van Dongen’s journey on the oche remains to be seen. But if it is, he’s determined to go out on his own terms — and with his loved ones watching on.“I just want to give it one last proper go,” he said. “No pressure, no expectations — just me, my family, and the stage at The Garden.”