Damon Heta was perplexed after noticing that Wessel Nijman was considered the fifth favourite to win the World Darts Championship this year.
Heta spoke moments after advancing to the third round with victory over Connor Scutt, having hit four 100-plus finishes, as he addressed the “hype” around certain players on tour.
In October, Dutch star Nijman won his first PDC title at Players Championship 24 in an impressive year for the world No. 58.
He threw a stunning 139 checkout en route to victory over Cameron Carolissen in the first round at Alexandra Palace and has been tipped to go far in the competition.
But Heta brutally asked “what’s he won?” when addressing the “hype” that certain players get in the build-up to darts’ showpiece event after Nijman was branded a dark horse to win the tournament.
“I think a lot of people like to see what they want to see,” Heta explained in his press conference. “And there’s a lot of hype on social media, I mean like Wessel Nijman is what? Fifth favourite? Ha, is he? What’s he won?
“It’s things like that. Not taking it away from the kid, 107 average in the group stage [of the Grand Slam of Darts] and not get through, that’s very unlucky. A great player and all that as well.
“But that’s pretty much what it is as well, it’s form leading up and all that. Connor Scutt obviously made it to the quarter [finals] he is playing well, 100 average, this and that and this. He’s got a great head on his shoulders there’s no two ways about it. But I just felt like I have been in this situation before.”
Nijman had also been tipped for a place in the Premier League next year, where four invitational spots are handed out, should he enjoy a strong run at Ally Pally.
However, Heta is in favour of giving those places to established names who may not have performed at such a high level, but provide more value for entertainment at the oche.
“In the worlds, I would like to think that I would have to get to the quarters for a good talk [of reaching the Premier League] and the semis would be pretty close to being there,” Heta said. “But at the end of the day, like they say, the Premier League is an exhibition show isn’t it?
“You want to see the likes of Gezzy [Gerwyn] Price, I know he hasn’t had a great year, but at the end of the day you probably want to see him because he’s given it all that and he is the bad guy.
“If it was ever offered I would take it, there’s no two ways about it, but I am all for the rankings and I am all for doing what I need to do. That’s why I have not done a lot of exhibition work, because I am focused on the main ranking system.”
