‘It became too much’ – Darts ace and No11 seed for PDC World Championship opens up on pre-tournament struggles

DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH has opened up on his struggles before the start of the PDC World Championship.

The highly-anticipated tournament started on Sunday evening and has already produced some memorable moments.

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Dimitri Van den Bergh has opened up on his struggles before the World Championship[/caption]

Christian Fisk smashed the first nine-darter of the tournament, which landed him and a fan a cool £60,000 each.

However, for Van den Bergh the World Championships would have seemed like a daunting challenge.

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The Belgian ace was highly ranked going into the tournament, as he was the No.11 seed.

However, he has admitted that he and a few others have found the past year “too much”.

He told HLN: “The past year and a half I was throwing non-stop.

“For the first time in my career, I pulled out of a few tournaments.

“And I’m not the only one. It became too much.

“It’s getting busier and busier.”

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Van den Bergh, 30, is the last of his countrymen left in the tournament.

Kim Huybrechts and Mike De Decker have already been eliminated before the Christmas break.

Huybrechts was beaten by Keane Barry while De Decker was knocked out by Luke Woodhouse.

Van den Bergh has been a regular at the PDC events but has admitted he can not be compared to his younger self.

He added: “The Dimitri of then can’t be compared to the Dimitri of now.

“I live a different life. I have a family with a fantastic daughter, we now have our own place together, I have a new sponsor.

“And I’ve also gained some pounds.”

Van den Bergh will be in action on Sunday evening as he faces the winner between William O’Connor and Dylan Slevin.