EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | Jarno Bottenberg motivated by being called a 'perfect draw' by opponent Matthew Edgar at Lakeside

Jarno Bottenberg is one of four Dutch players competing in the WDF World Championship at Lakeside. 'Bottie' earned this spot by winning the Dutch Open in Assen earlier this year.

Ahead of his participation in Frimley Green, Dartsnews.com spoke with Bottenberg in an exclusive interview about the first steps of his darts career and looked ahead to the tournament at Lakeside.

How did you first come into contact with darts?

I think I was about eleven at the time, which is twelve years ago now. We actually watched it a lot on television back then. I think that was the year Adrian Lewis became world champion. Then during the World Championship, I bought myself a dartboard and hung it up in the attic at home. That kind of started it.

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And how long did it take you to throw your first 180 score?

That must have been the same year I think. That was at home. I do remember running downstairs then and saying 'Daddy, the first time 180,' and of course they all didn't believe it.

When did you first think you could play darts above average?

That started at a place near here in the neighborhood. They had regular Friday and Saturday night tournaments there. A few of us would go there. At one point I threw my very first 100+ finish, which was 155 via triple 20, triple 15 and the bull. Then people said 'well you can really throw a dart'. Then I started playing some tournaments here and there and played some kind of ranking and got better and better. Then at one point I was asked to join a competition team. Then I started in the first division. Then I played in that for two years and have been in the Eredivisie ever since. And that's kind of how it started I guess.

Jarno Bottenberg debuted on the Lakeside stage in 2023

In 2021, you started playing on the PDC Development Tour. Tell us about your experience there?

That's obviously very different playing there. At a PDC tournament it is completely quiet around you. That really took some getting used to at the beginning. For me the level wasn't really what it is now. But in any case it is a nice experience to experience and to play such matches.

You do see very nicely with you the progression you have made. Last year your first semi-final and in 2024 two semi-finals and also two quarter-finals on the Challenge Tour. Do you notice that progression yourself?

Yes for sure, before, I was always a little insecure to play. I always put the pressure way too high. Now I know I can throw 95 or 100 average. Not constantly of course, but I do have those peaks in between. That way you can win a lot of matches.

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Last year you got to play Luke Littler twice, what do you remember from that?

The first time in the last sixteen at a Development Tour tournament. Then I was down 3-0 and then back to 3-3. Then I think I was on 122 or something like that after nine darts, but then he checked out in twelve darts. And the other time was a semifinal, then I went down 5-2. But you stand behind it and it's just so easy. He kind of stands there like he doesn't care about any of it. And it's all so easy, all those trebles in and doubles right out. Actually, there's not a whole lot to play against him at that point. I'm really working to get every dart towards the triple. He stands there, hits it and it's done. We really have to work for it, with him it's just so simple. So of course I have super respect for it being so easy. Of course it's nice to see, but rather not against me.

Your biggest success so far, however, was not with the PDC, but with the WDF. Earlier this year, you won the Dutch Open. Did that also come as a surprise to you?

On the one hand, yes. You know there are things like that in there. But you go there with the attitude that you want to win, of course. But do it at such a big tournament with so many participants. So basically everything fell into place that day. I didn't really have any matches where I got matchdarts against I think, and apart from that I just played okay. Actually got through every round a little bit. And then in the final against Wesley Plaisier I started a bit slow. But luckily in the second set that bull finish made me recover, and then I was lucky that Wesley missed some chances.

The Dutch Open is one of the hardest tournaments to win. What makes it so difficult?

I think it will be played over two days anyway. And that of course it's incredibly busy around you. Besides, you play a total of eleven or twelve matches. There are a total of 3,500 people participating, of whom maybe 500 can play darts well. The rest are there for the party and the drinking, I think. There are so many unknown people participating and you don't know how your opponent throws. You will see that you have an unknown opponent who throws 90 average, then you have to be there.

By winning the title at the Dutch Open, you qualified for Lakeside for the second time. It used to be the place you wanted to be. Do you have those nostalgic feelings, too?

I played there last year and then I lost to Danny Lauby in the second round. After that, I did have the idea that I basically wanted to be there again next year. So yes, in principle, yes. It's always nice to be able to play on such an iconic stage.

What was it like to be there for the first time last year?

A very nice experience. I used to watch that on television, with Danny Noppert and Richard Veenstra, guys like that. Then I did dream of being there one day. Then a few years ago I won that qualifying tournament and it all became reality.

In his debut at Lakeside, Jarno Bottenberg won 2-0 in sets over Jamie Lewis

What is your impression of the location?

The stage and the hall are all nice, of course. Only it is a bit old. But then again, it's that iconic I guess.

It's a tradition to hang a picture of all the players who have been on the Lakeside stage. Will you look for your own picture right away when you get there?

I don't think they've been doing that since last year. Who knows, maybe it's hanging there, but I thought they had said last year that they weren't doing it anymore because the wall was already full. The old pictures are still hanging there, they're just hanging in the practice room there. At one point I was standing there talking to Marco Meijer (referee). He knew all the players hanging there. There were some I thought 'I don't know who the hell is that'. He was able to name them all.

You are playing Matthew Edgar in the first round. What do you expect from this match?

I expect a pretty fast game anyway. Because I think he is also a pretty fast thrower. I saw a video of him saying he thought it was 'the perfect draw'. He would rather have a player he knows he has to work with and that he can't just win the match easily. So that motivated him, and of course that motivated me as well. So I do expect that if we both play our level it could be a nice game.

Edgar is of course well known because of his videos on YouTube. Do you ever watch those videos yourself?

No, every now and then I get something forwarded by my brother. Then I take a look, but otherwise I hardly ever do.

Are you also going to take into account that he might do some crazy things, such as coming on stage with a camera?

No idea, from me he can do that. I just do my own thing there. What he does is up to him.

In the third round, you could possibly face Jimmy van Schie. Should we see him as the big favorite for the title?

They do say that, don't they? Jimmy is one of the better players within the WDF circuit this year. He is also going in that direction with a bucket of confidence.

When would the tournament be successful for you?

Initially getting through the first round, but of course I hope to get a round further than last year. That match at the last sixteen against Jimmy I would like.

Are you already looking at next year with a slanted eye? Have you mapped out a roadmap for yourself when you want a PDC Tour Card or when you want to participate in the World Championship at Alexandra Palace?

No I don't, I'm taking it one step at a time. I don't necessarily need a Tour Card right now, also because I still have a young son and I'm busy with work. I say if it comes, it will come. If it comes in five years, it will come in five years. I see it all. It's not that I think of I have to get it this year or anything like that. It's not that I really have the urge to have to get it. Just take it easy and when it comes, it will come. That's great, of course.

Jarno Bottenberg is one of four Dutch competitors at this year's WDF World Championship