Van Duijvenbode wants to prove himself after long support from sponsor TOTO: ''I am very grateful to them for that''

Dirk van Duijvenbode is one of the Dutch players making his appearance at the Dutch Darts Masters 2025 this weekend. 'Aubergenius' has now lost his spot in the top-24 of the world rankings, but nevertheless just received an invitation to participate in Den Bosch.

However, Van Duijvenbode did not get an ideal draw. The 32-year-old dart player from 's-Gravenzande was paired with defending champion Michael van Gerwen. In case of a victory over Van Gerwen, Luke Littler might also be waiting in the second round. "Immediately a tough one," Van Duijvenbode concluded in conversation with Sportnieuws.nl. "In your own country you like to avoid a Dutchman for as long as possible."

Van Duijvenbode got fit in time for the tournament at home. His World Championship fell apart due to illness, causing him to go down in the second round against Madars Razma. As it turned out, however, it was no simple flu. "I've been sick for five weeks, so I can also put that defeat into perspective. Had I won against Razma, I probably would have lost the next match. It's just unfortunate, because it (being sick, ed.) is something you don't have control over."

Meanwhile, Van Duijvenbode is fit again, and forward steps have also been taken with his shoulder injury. His sponsor TOTO has assisted Van Duijvenbode in the rehabilitation process. Van Duijvenbode now wants to prove himself at the Dutch Darts Masters, the tournament of which TOTO is the title sponsor for the last time. Because of Dutch legislation, betting companies are no longer allowed to sponsor sporting events from the spring of 2025. They will also no longer be allowed to be the namesake of the TOTO Dart Kings, the Dutch professional darts team which, in addition to Van Duijvenbode, also includes Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld.

"I am very sorry. In my injury time they supported me unconditionally,'' Van Duijvenbode is grateful about the support offered. ''Anyway, they have always been that way actually. Never have they said a negative word. They were just like, 'How can we help you?' I'm very grateful to them for that. I had a super period with TOTO and am sorry it is going away. Although I hope that something is still found that it can still continue."