The Dreammaker Calls It Quits: Why Dimitri Van den Bergh Just Walked Away from Professional Darts at 30

By Lewis Barnett 13 June, 2025 5 mins read 87 Views

God, this one hit me harder than I expected.

Dimitri Van den Bergh – you know, "The Dreammaker" – just dropped a bombshell that's got the entire darts world scratching their heads. The guy's only 30, ranked 22nd in the world, and he's basically saying "nah, I'm done" with full-time professional darts. Just like that. After everything he's accomplished, after clawing his way to a World Championship semi-final and winning the bloody World Matchplay, he's stepping back because – and I'm paraphrasing here – the whole circus was destroying his family life.

The Belgian announced this decision right after Belgium crushed Latvia 4-1 in their World Cup opener on Thursday. Talk about timing.

Hear the Summary

When the Spotlight Becomes a Searchlight

Listen, I've covered enough sports to know when someone's genuinely burned out versus just having a bad week. Van den Bergh's explanation? It's the real deal. "There was so much attention on me," he said after Thursday's match. "I had talk show requests from Belgium, Germany, England, and Holland. Everyone wanted interviews and I just didn't feel it was the right time to talk."

The man stepped away from the PDC Tour back in April to focus on his mental health – something that would've been career suicide to admit even five years ago. Now he's being brutally honest about why he can't come back full-time.

"I didn't have the right perception of the whole situation. It was all too much at the time," Van den Bergh continued. "I stepped back to take a few steps forward and tonight proves I'm heading in the right direction."

Family First (Finally)

Here's where it gets personal. Van den Bergh's got another kid coming next month. His second. And he's basically saying the math doesn't work – you can't be a present father and husband while chasing flights to Blackpool every other weekend for the next decade.

"This is me being back managing my career because full-time professional is just not good for my family," he said.

Damn. That's refreshingly honest.

He's not completely disappearing though. Van den Bergh indicated he'll still compete in select events – probably the big ones that actually pay well enough to justify the time away from home. Smart move, honestly.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Van den Bergh got his PDC Tour Card back in 2015 when he was just a kid with dreams bigger than his bank account. Nine years later, he's accomplished more than most players dream of: UK Open champion, World Matchplay winner, three Players Championship titles, and that World Championship semi-final that put him on the map.

His highest ranking was No. 5 back in 2021 – the year everything seemed to click for him.

But here's the thing about professional darts that casual fans don't get: it's a grind that would break most people. You're traveling constantly, living out of hotels, dealing with crowds that either love you or want to see you fail spectacularly. And for what? Unless you're in the top 10 consistently, you're not exactly buying yachts.

What This Really Means

Van den Bergh's decision isn't just about one player stepping back. It's about a generation of athletes who are finally prioritizing their mental health and family relationships over the relentless pursuit of ranking points and prize money.

"So me and my manager and my sponsors, we already know what's going to go down," he explained. "It's going to be professional in a different level, but I'm ready for it."

Translation: he's going part-time, cherry-picking events, and probably making more per tournament than he did grinding through the entire circuit.

Good for him. Seriously. The guy looked at his life, did the math, and chose happiness over headlines. In a sport where players often compete well into their 50s, Van den Bergh is betting that quality beats quantity.

Sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to walk away while you still can.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

Statistics

The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.

External Links

How To

Setting Up Your Practice Space

The official height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the bullseye. The throwing line (oche) should be 7 feet 9¼ inches from the face of the board. I used to have mine hung too low and wondered why my game never improved at the pub! Measuring tape is your friend here.

Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/luke-littler-just-dropped-some-massive-news-about-his-next-tv-gig