15/01/2021

Van Duijvenbode does not aspire to become full-time darts player: “I will always continue to combine it”

Dirk Van Duijvenbode had a breakout 2020 reaching a first major final at the World Grand Prix as well as multiple Quarter-Finals in others.

But speaking recently, he admitted that despite potential increased commitments which could include a Premier League debut at some point, he has no interest in quitting his job.

"I have been combining work and darts for years, most weeks of the year I am busy every day. I currently practice 3 to 4 hours a day, but even if I was a full-time professional I would not suddenly start practicing again. My ultimate goal is to become world champion, but I will always continue to combine it with my work at the aubergine farm. I also worked on days off at the World Championship, "said Van Duijvenbode to Jinek .

Van Duijvenbode returned to work on Monday after World Championship run: "It was a bit more difficult than usual to get out of bed"

His job gave the Dutchman the nickname 'Aubergenius'. "At the World Championship, there are English commentators who suddenly start using it a lot, but actually it was not entirely new, after all, in February last year someone came up with that nickname; Only that did not get much resonance at the time."

Influence of sports psychologist

Van Duijvenbode has also been seeing a sports psychologist for some time. "Most of it is of course professional confidentiality, but I can tell you that it is sometimes a relief to be able to talk about certain things. Recently an opponent said certain things to me after a game, I needed to be able to discuss that with my psychologist and came out stronger afterwards. "