"Worked hard but no confidence, no self belief": Dimitri van den Bergh left deflated and humbled by PDC World Darts Championship exit

After his 3-0 defeat to Darren Beveridge in the opening round of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, Dimitri Van den Bergh responded openly and honestly about his display. The Belgian star, known for his passion and work ethic, did not spare himself in his assessment. Despite intensive preparation and hard work, he lacked self-belief and conviction at the decisive moment. Van den Bergh admitted as much in an emotional reaction afterward.

"There are no words for tonight, besides telling you it was very bad” Van den Bergh shared via Instagram. “I know I worked hard, but no confidence, no self belief was with me on the stage.” Those words speak volumes about the mental battle elite athletes face, especially at the very highest level of darts.

Van den Bergh started the tournament with ambition but could not live up to those expectations on the big stage. Where his game is usually defined by flair, energy, and scoring power, this time he looked searching and uncertain. Small errors piled up, and the conviction needed to win matches at the highest level seemed to be missing.

Even so, The DreamMaker did not dwell on negativity. On the contrary, he showed gratitude toward his fans. “I still want to say thank you to all the support worldwide,” said Van den Bergh. That support has been a key driving force for the Belgian for many years.

Van den Bergh also showed sportsmanship toward his opponent. He explicitly wished Darren Beveridge every success. It was a gesture that underlined his sporting character, even in a moment of personal disappointment.

What stands out most in Van den Bergh’s reaction is his determination to come back. The Belgian made it clear this defeat is not a finish line. “One day I will be back because I keep working hard,” he said defiantly.

That mentality fits Van den Bergh, who has faced setbacks before in his career but came back stronger each time. His major titles at the World Matchplay and the UK Open prove he has both the talent and the mindset to challenge for trophies again.

For now, it is about reflection and recovery. Confidence in darts is at least as important as technique, and Van den Bergh seems more aware of that than ever. If he manages to rediscover that belief, the darts world will undoubtedly have to reckon with Dimitri Van den Bergh once more.

He also said to the reaction for the prior story: "This is incredible, I wasn't expecting this. Thank you so much for all the support, for the love that I get in these dark times. You all make me smile, you all are amazing. I will keep practicing, I will fight back."