"What do I care about that, Even if he beats himself up a hundred times" - Dirk van Duijvenbode on crying opponent during World Darts Championship

This weekend the Dutch Darts Masters will be played. After the Bahrain Darts Masters, this is already the second tournament of the World Series of Darts this year.

Dirk van Duijvenbode takes on Luke Littler in his opening match. But instead of about that match, the press day was more about 'Aubergenius' shoulder injury, much to Van Duijvenbode's displeasure. "There is only negativity about that subject. Before the World Championship I didn't want to say anything about it either, but then you have such a press day and then people ask about it again. That makes me sick to my stomach," Van Duijvenbode told Sportnieuws.nl.

Yet when asked about Van Duijvenbode's chances against Littler (and by extension in the coming months) he hesitates. "I don't know where I stand. If I reach my level then a spring like last year (in which he was very much in form, ed.) is definitely possible."

At the past World Darts Championship, the 31-year-old Dutchman was defeated in the second round by Boris Krcmar. "That was a good draw, mind you. I always win from that, but of course he had confidence because of my injury."

A notable moment during that match was when Krcmar suddenly burst into tears. Afterwards, he indicated it was because his wife was attending a match for the first time. "What do I care about that," Van Duijvenbode said. "Even if he beats himself up a hundred times. At least he wasn't bothered by the tears. I didn't realize it during the match either."