Danny Noppert believes his best is still yet to come in the PDC, as he bids to rectify his disappointing Paddy Power World Darts Championship record this year.
The sport’s flagship event has not been a happy hunting ground for Noppert, who has failed to progress beyond the third round in his five previous World Darts Championship appearances.
The Dutchman was a finalist on his Lakeside Championship debut in 2017, although he’s been unable to replicate that form at Alexandra Palace, exiting at the third round stage in each of the last four years.
“My best result at the [PDC] World Championship is the last 32, but maybe now is the time to change that,” declared Noppert, the number seven seed in 2023/24.
“I have not been as consistent this year, but I have had some good performances, like making the European Championship semi-finals, and I know I can do this.
“I have also won two Players Championship [titles], and you have to play very well to win a Players Championship, because you are up against 128 class players.”
Noppert made his breakthrough with UK Open glory in March 2022 – denying world number one Michael Smith to celebrate his maiden premier televised title.
The 32-year-old continued his ascent last year with semi-final appearances at the World Cup of Darts and World Matchplay, which cemented his place in the world’s top eight as a result.
Having added to his title haul with a brace of Players Championship titles in 2023, Noppert also made the semi-finals in October’s European Championship, recovering from 7-0 down to stun Gerwyn Price in the last eight.
However, Noppert – who will provisionally rise to a career-high of world number six in January – has vowed to build upon the progress he’s made over the last two years.
“I am world number seven which I am really happy with, but I want more,” added Noppert, a winner of five PDC ranking titles.
“World number one would maybe give me too much pressure, because I have never been in that position, but being in the top four would be nice for the future. Why not?
“I want to be there, and I want to fight to stay there for a long time, because I don’t think you have seen my best yet.
“I know I can put ten points on my average. I am still learning. I am only 32, so there is still plenty of time to see the real Danny!”
Noppert will face either Scott Williams or PDC Asian Champion Haruki Muramatsu in his opening round tie on December 22, in his first competitive match for over five weeks.
The world number seven withdrew from November’s Players Championship Finals ahead of the imminent arrival of his daughter, who was born just days after the Minehead event.
Noppert memorably celebrated UK Open success just weeks after the birth of his first child, Jent, in February 2002, and now he’s hoping to repeat the feat by landing the sport’s biggest prize in January.
“After my son was born it gave me a good feeling, becoming a dad for the first time, so why can’t I do it again,” claimed the former World Series Finals runner-up.
“It gives you more motivation. You want to make them proud, so when they are older, they can say: ‘This is my Dad.’ That is what I want.”
Noppert is also aiming to follow in the footsteps of Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen by becoming only the third Dutch player to be crowned PDC World Champion.
Van Barneveld lifted the title in 2007 with a famous sudden-death leg victory over Phil Taylor, while Van Gerwen has celebrated a hat-trick of Alexandra Palace titles – a record he holds alongside Taylor.
“Raymond made darts big in the Netherlands. He’s a legend,” claimed the Dutch number two.
“Michael has won so many titles, it’s crazy. Years ago, it was either Phil [Taylor] or Michael [van Gerwen], but now there are so many top players who can win a lot of titles.
“It would be nice to join Raymond and Michael on the legends list, and it would mean a lot to lift a trophy like that.
“It is the biggest thing that can happen in your darts career, and I will give everything to make it happen.”