The Wizard’s last trick at the World Darts Championship? "If I get through round one, never know what could happen"

Simon Whitlock returns to the World Darts Championship this year with a remarkably different feeling than in recent seasons. The 56-year-old Australian, a mainstay on the biggest stages for years and a two-time world finalist, has found his footing again after a period of physical issues and sporting doubt. His victory in the inaugural ANZ Premier League turned out to be not only a ticket to Alexandra Palace, but also an unexpected restart to his career.

Whitlock returned to England last week and spoke in Cheltenham with Online Darts about a phase he describes as “the best thing he could have done.” Away from the PDC rankings, away from the constant pressure and overwhelming calendar, he rediscovered calm in his game and in his mind.

“It means the world to me,” he said about winning the Premier League on home soil. “You know, that’s all I want to do — just get my name on that trophy straight up. Be the first Aussie to win it.”

The start of the tournament was sluggish by his own account, but as it went on Whitlock felt his experience would make the difference. Where others won nights and then faded, he kept going. “I was the tortoise and I beat the hare in the final, I guess.”

The final against Raymond Smith, widely anticipated beforehand, brought an extra layer of tension. Smith was already qualified for the Worlds, Whitlock was not. Everything hinged on that one result—winning was the only way to London.

“Yeah, it was a pretty bad feeling, really,” Whitlock says of the situation. “Knowing some players are already qualified and even if I didn’t win, I wasn’t going to get in. So I knew in the back of my head: you have to win this.”

He did it. And the realization that he would be heading back to Ally Pally only dawned when the deciding double went in. “It didn’t really sink in until I actually hit the winning double. It’s like, yes, I’m back — and that’s where I should be playing. I can compete with the best in the world. I’ve still got it.”

The relief comes with a renewed sense of freedom. Where previous editions made him nervous, Whitlock mainly feels relief this year. “Yeah, that’s how I feel — no pressure. I didn’t even feel like I had pressure to win the ANZ Premier League, but I did, and now I feel pretty much the same.”

Remarkably, Whitlock is candid about his future outside the PDC. After years at the very top, he’s no longer willing to do the full program. The pressure, the travel, and especially the physical strain are no longer manageable for him.

“Having a year off out the professional rankings has been the best thing I’ve ever done,” he says. “I’ve felt like there’s been no pressure on me this year. I can just go and perform, build some confidence again. It’s been really good for my self-esteem.”

He’s clear about a possible return as a Tour Card holder: it’s no longer realistic. Not even if he were to regain his card through a strong Worlds. “I wouldn’t go full on. I’d probably just pick and choose tournaments. I’m not going back to Q School. There’s too much for me. I’m too old to compete for five, six days in a row.”

He has also definitively put the Challenge Tour behind him. “I knew straight away: I can’t do this anymore. All those early mornings, so many days in a row — it’s too hard.”

Whitlock emphasizes that there are plenty of opportunities outside the PDC. He plays a lot of exhibitions, is active in alternative circuits, and works closely with management agency Modus. “I don’t need to be in the PDC. Well, I’d love to, but the body just keeps saying no. It’s hard. I’m 56 now.”

An important new chapter in his career is mentoring his son Mason, who is making his way as a young talent. Whitlock speaks about it with visible pride.

“We train together, and I’m trying to guide him in the right direction and get him through to get a card himself. To me, if he gets a card, that’s way more important than me even getting a card.”

Even if he were physically able, he would put that goal ahead of his own. “I don’t want a card. My mind does, body doesn’t — but I’d love to see Mason do it.”

Whitlock’s career is already impressive: two World Championship finals, a World Cup win, World Series appearances at home, and multiple major TV finals. But he remains down-to-earth when his legacy comes up.

“Well, I guess so, if you say that,” he responds when told about the scale of his achievements. “Yeah, exactly. I’d love to see someone else from Australia — hopefully my son. That’d be ideal.”

The 2026 Worlds won’t be a grueling assignment for Whitlock, but rather an edition where he can play without expectations. Paradoxically, that makes him more dangerous than in previous years.

“I think maybe a couple [of nerves], but I don’t feel under pressure this time. It’s like, you know, it’s just a free roll for me and I’m just going to enjoy it. I’m going to enjoy this one probably more than any other.”

Is there one last big run in him? Whitlock leaves the door ajar. “There’s definitely one there. Whether he turns up or not, who knows? I’m pretty confident at the minute. If I get through round one, never know what could happen.”