KEVIN DOETS admits his breakthrough year in darts has been overshadowed by the devastating death of his father.
The world No28 has enjoyed the best campaign of his career on the oche but suffered huge personal heartbreak when his dad passed away last month.
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Doets, 28, had already reached the Austrian Darts Open final before narrowly losing 8-6 to Josh Rock.
The Dutchman claimed his maiden ranking title at Players Championship 13 and has climbed into the world’s top 32.
Hawkeye produced a superb 99.29 average to thrash James Hurrell 6-1 in the opening round of the Flanders Darts Trophy.
But despite his stunning progress, Doets admits his life away from the stage has made 2026 a difficult season.
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He told Het Nieuwsblad: “A lot has changed this year. I moved at the start of the year and I have much more time to practise.
“But I’m back in a difficult period because my father passed away last month. It all feels very different again now.
“I’m still throwing reasonably and today was a good match, but last week it wasn’t good and the week before was very poor.
“It’s a bit up and down at the moment. Overall, in darts terms it’s my best year, but personally my worst year.”
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Doets admits keeping his private life away from his darts has become increasingly difficult.
When asked how he keeps performing despite everything, he added: “If I knew myself, I’d do even better.
“The mental side of darts is at least 80 percent, and if something goes wrong privately, something often goes wrong in darts.
“I try to keep them as separate as possible, but that’s not always easy. Luckily, it’s been okay so far.”
Doets has held a Tour Card since 2022 and has steadily climbed the rankings rather than making an overnight breakthrough.
He continued: “Have I really had a Tour Card for such a short time? To me it feels like ten years or something.
“I’m 100 percent where I want to be at this point in my career. I’m not Luke Littler or Gian van Veen.
“I’m not bursting into the world’s top eight out of nowhere. That’s never been me, not in youth and not now.
“I get better every year, I keep learning and I climb step by step. Where I am now is exactly where I hoped to be.
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“In five years I hope to be further on.”
Doets returns to action on Sunday afternoon in Antwerp after edging past Krzysztof Ratajski 6-5 to reach the last 16.