"There have been many moments in those past ten years when I wanted to say, ‘I’m done” – Madars Razma set to be rewarded after lengthy spell on PDC ProTour

Madars Razma may not be the player with the most titles to his name, but the Latvian has long been one of the most recognisable and respected figures on the PDC circuit. Latvia’s number one has established himself as a mainstay at the highest level and has also played a key role in the growth of darts in the Baltic region.

A major PDC title is still missing from his résumé for now, but Razma’s achievements should not be underestimated. A World Cup of Darts quarter-final, three Players Championship finals, and two Euro Tour semi-finals show that “Razmatazz” has been competing with the world’s best for years.

Razma’s impact, however, goes beyond results alone. In a region where sports like ice hockey and basketball are traditionally far more popular, he has shown that players from Latvia can claim their place among the world’s elite. Without big words or flashy behaviour, Razma has worked his way up to become one of the most consistent players on the circuit.

Behind the darts player Madars Razma is, above all, a family man. Asked about the person behind the player, the Latvian keeps it brief but clear. “I am married and have two lovely sons,” Razma says.

Professionally, he is now approaching a notable milestone. Razma has been active on the PDC Pro Tour for almost ten years, an achievement that should not be underestimated. Many players lose their Tour Card in that period or slowly drop off the top level, but the Latvian has managed to hold his ground time and again.

According to Razma, that has mainly been a matter of perseverance and patience. “There have been many moments in those past ten years when I wanted to say, ‘I’m done’. But I’m very glad that, in the end, I was ready to wait, learn and gain experience, which helps me a lot today against new players who don’t have the experience I have.”

Razma is not only focused on his own career, but also closely follows the development of darts in his region. The PDC Nordic & Baltic Tour has produced several talents in recent years, but the real breakthrough to the top level remains difficult for many players.

“We should be happy for every new player on the tour, but right now we can see that most of the leading positions are held by experienced players," Razma said. "But I think, overall, there are a lot of quality players in the region.”

Besides Razma, Darius Labanauskas from Lithuania is the best-known example of a player from the Baltic region who successfully made the step to the PDC. Yet the number of players from that area remains limited. According to Razma, that is not only about talent.

“One of the reasons could be the high cost of living. The PDC calendar is very tight right now, plus the PDC Nordic & Baltic tournaments. Players have to miss work, but there is no guarantee that they will be able to earn enough in PDC tournaments. Darius and I have a much different situation because we live in cheaper countries.”

It shows how big the step to the professional circuit really is. Talent alone is not enough. Players must also be financially able to make the leap.

Although a first major title is still missing, Razma has come close to success several times in recent years. Three Players Championship finals and two semi-finals on the European Tour prove that on his best days he can beat almost anyone.

He looks back on those moments with pride. “I remember very well the first semi-final of the European Tour and all the finals of the Players Championship because each of these tournaments has its own special story. Of course, I can’t forget the World Grand Prix quarter-final and my World Matchplay debut also.”

In today’s darts landscape, winning titles is harder than ever. The depth at the top is immense, and virtually every Pro Tour event is packed with players who, on their day, can produce averages over a hundred.

Despite his status as an established PDC player, Razma would like to play more often against darters from his own region. At the moment, that is not possible due to the rules. “I would like to play in the PDC Nordic & Baltic Tour again," he admits. "As I said, there are good players and there would be quality games.

"Since I’m not allowed to play in the PDC Nordic & Baltic tournaments, I’ve started playing in local tournaments in Latvia. The sparring partners are not as strong as I would like to see, but it’s still better than nothing. The downside would be travelling to the Pro Tour events on Sunday nights.”

The European Tour has grown enormously in recent years, but an event in the Baltic region is still missing for the time being. Razma does have an idea why that is the case.

“I’m 99% sure that everything is a problem with the arena and costs," he explained. "The World Series tournaments in Copenhagen have already proven that the PDC can organise great tournaments in the region

Razma doesn’t immediately foresee an extra event in Denmark, but another Scandinavian country does seem suitable to him. "A second tournament in Denmark would be too much, but I would like to see a European Tour in Sweden because there are many quality local players."

Razma has no doubts about the interest from fans. “I’m 100% sure that they would like to see the PDC European Tour in any of the Nordic & Baltic countries.”

One of the highlights of Razma’s career came for his country. Together with Latvia, he impressed earlier this year at the World Cup of Darts by reaching the quarterfinals.

“Needless to say that after the tournament we were both proud of what we did in the World Cup. I have to agree with others that we were a little bit lucky with the draw and the opponents, but the last game was something like wow."

Still, there’s also a slight sense of a missed opportunity. “I still have mixed feelings. If they would give us another chance… But it is what it is, and we need to take positive emotions into future tournaments.

Notably, Razma didn’t throw first within the Latvian pair during the tournament. According to him, there was a clear plan behind that. “We agreed before the tournament that I would be the second player in all our games. There are at least three or four reasons for this, but I don’t want to reveal them.”

With the end of the season approaching, Razma still has clear goals. The Latvian is focused on his position in the world rankings and remains ambitious. “Every year I set myself a goal in the rankings – to be higher than the previous season. This year I have to defend a lot of points at the World Championship, but I hope I will be ready to do it.

One specific tournament remains high on his wishlist. I have never played in the Grand Slam of Darts and I would really like to qualify for it. Anyway, I look at everything positively."