Van Duijvenbode sets 2021 targets after breakout year: "The first goal is to qualify for the Matchplay but it's not easy"

Dirk van Duijvenbode had a brilliant breakout year in 2020 reaching four Quarter-Finals in TV tournaments and a final at the World Grand Prix.

The questions will now await for 'The Aubergenius' whether or not he can replicate that going into 2021. The Dutchman first and foremost has set his sights on the World Matchplay.

"I set a goal that I want to be top 32 in three years when I won my Tour Card back and now I did it in one year so I think it's a very good performance," said Van Duijvenbode to Online Darts.

"You have to be realistic. Of course I'm trying to top the performances from 2020 but it's not for granted that you make four Quarter-Finals every year."

"The first goal is to qualify for the Matchplay but it's not easy."

"The game against Adam Hunt, that's starting to get how I feel in practice and it wasn't even the best I could. If you look at it like that, I've got the game but I'm not showing that game very often yet. Not that I'm playing bad but if you want to be in the top four, I think you need to consistently play close to 100 or over 100 and I'm not doing that yet."

World Cup ambitions

There are also the potential questions about the World Cup of Darts and whether Van Duijvenbode can potentially force his way into the second spot but he believes it is an eventual goal but not right now.

"You think about it but I don't want it to be a big goal because I think it distracts players. I think that's a bonus thing. I think it's a realistic goal to play in 2023 but this year, it'll be very hard."