"There were some hate comments": From teen prodigy to five-year hiatus as Arno Merk stalled career due to online abuse

Arno Merk became the first player to book his place in the second round of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, marking a dream debut on the Alexandra Palace stage.

The German newcomer delivered an impressive performance to defeat Kim Huybrechts, stringing together a dominant five-leg run and landing the first 180 of the tournament. After the match, Merk opened up about his emotions, his return to darts after a five-year break, and the possibility of facing two-time World Champion Peter Wright next.

A visibly delighted Merk admitted the magnitude of the moment was still sinking in. “I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’m so happy. I also hit the first 180 on the biggest stage, on the biggest World Champs of all time. I’m just so happy and can’t wait to play my second match.”

Despite it being his World Championship debut, he insisted nerves weren’t a major factor. “To be honest, I wasn’t that nervous. I thought on this Ally Pally stage I would be, but I wasn’t as much as I expected.”

Merk’s calmness translated into a spell of five legs won in succession, and he said his mindset was simple: “Go on and just win the match.”

Merk now awaits either Noa-Lynn van Leuven or former two-time world champion Peter Wright. “I’m so excited. If I have a wish, I would like to play Peter because he’s a legend. He’s very liked by the fans and a two-time world champion. It would be a very special match for me.”

When the schedule was released, Merk was stunned to discover he was playing the tournament’s opening match. “I was wondering, like, why? I’m a debutant and Kim didn’t play his best year, so why did they choose us? But I was really happy because it’s a very special game.”

Because of his lower ranking, Merk also had the honour of the very first walk-on of the tournament. “It’s a big honour to go on the stage for the first time as the first player.”

Merk’s journey back to the professional stage has been anything but straightforward. After breaking through young and qualifying for Lakeside, he disappeared from the circuit for years. “There were some hate comments on the Internet after my World Match. Then I took a year off. I restarted, was like top four in Germany, but I wasn’t nominated for the World Cup. Then I took a break, went to live in Italy for three years. All in all, I took a break for five years.”

During that time, he barely touched a dartboard. “I had a board at home in Italy, but I didn’t use it — maybe once a month for 20 minutes.”

His return began almost by accident. “My best friend was quite talented, and I said, let’s go to some small tournaments at the weekend. I noticed I’m still good at darts. Then I was hungry to get better and better. And here I am.”

With prize money at record levels — £15,000 just for qualifying, Merk acknowledges the financial incentive plays a role for many players. “Of course. The prize money is raising so much. Many people are starting a professional career to earn money and not just do their hobby.”

Asked whether he was surprised at how well he coped compared to Huybrechts, making his 15th Ally Pally appearance, Merk said no — because he arrived with belief.

He reflected on a low point from last season: “Last year in April, I played Luke Littler in Sindelfingen and I played really, really bad. My mindset was so bad. I thought, ‘You play Luke Littler — you can’t win.’ But this time I know I invested so much time, so many practice sessions, and I improved my game. I was like, OK, you can win this. Fly to London and you can win it. And so I did.”

He believes he can beat anyone on his day. “When I play my best game, I can beat anybody if everything goes right — if the timing is there, the luck is there. When I’m on the stage, I want to win.”

Merk’s passionate celebrations throughout the match matched the energy of Huybrechts — something he said was intentional, but also natural. “I am myself. I already did it at Super League Germany and I knew Kim would do it. When he starts, I want to join. It was a battle of emotions, a battle of darts. I liked it a lot.”

He believes his ability to control those emotions was the difference: “I was in that moment the better player, the better guy who had his emotions in control.”

One of the biggest early moments came when he checked 62 to win the first set, immediately after Huybrechts had fired in a 174. "Of course. I think that was the biggest moment of the match. I checked with my last dart to break his set. That was the break point of the whole match.”

A few early boos greeted Merk’s walk-on, something he heard but didn’t dwell on. “I heard it, but I didn’t know why. I just went ahead and then they stopped booing, and it was fine.” With Wright under scrutiny due to a difficult run of form, Merk was asked whether beating him could feel bittersweet. “I like him. I respect him a lot. He’s a two-time world champ. I don’t want to end the career of anybody. But of course when I’m on the stage, I want to win. So let’s see.”

Finally, he reflected on how painful it was to walk away from darts during his hiatus. “I just made the decision for me. I wasn’t motivated anymore, so it was an easier decision.”