During this week’s Players Championship events, a particular moment during the final day has sparked criticism among viewers on the PDC’s official YouTube channel. The focal point of the backlash is Belgian darts player Kim Huybrechts, following a contentious moment in his match against Dutch talent Wessel Nijman—footage of which has since circulated widely online.
While it proved to be a disappointing day for Huybrechts, it marked a career highlight for fellow Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena. The Dutch player claimed his first-ever Pro Tour title, a triumph that clearly held great emotional value for him. In a heartfelt post-match interview with the PDC, Wattimena struggled to hold back tears—only for those emotions to give way to a radiant smile that lasted the rest of the day.
Wattimena’s career trajectory is clearly on the rise, with his current position at number 26 on the PDC Order of Merit reflecting consistent progress. In contrast, Huybrechts finds himself moving in the opposite direction. Once a regular fixture at the top of the PDC rankings and known for his electrifying battles with Michael van Gerwen, “The Hurricane” is now experiencing a significant downturn in form.
Today, Huybrechts balances his competitive ambitions with running a darts shop in Nijlen, Belgium. However, his ranking has slipped to 50th in the world, and a strong performance is urgently needed if he hopes to reverse the decline and rejoin the sport’s elite.
The frustration of underperformance was visibly apparent in his match against Nijman, particularly as the young Dutchman capitalized on Huybrechts’ errors—a moment that triggered viewer criticism and highlighted the Belgian’s current struggles. If Huybrechts is to reignite his career and stage a meaningful comeback, it’s clear that adjustments are needed both mentally and competitively.
This situation is reminiscent of Adrian Lewis, another former top-tier player looking to rebuild his form. Unlike Huybrechts, however, Lewis has chosen to regain his rhythm through the MODUS Super Series, taking a more gradual route back to the big stage.
For Huybrechts, the path forward may not be easy, but the potential for resurgence is still there—should he find the right formula to unlock it.