Emotional darts star on verge of ‘breakdown’ as manager forced to step in during press conference after shock home loss
DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH was close to tears and a “breakdown” after flopping on home soil in the Flanders Trophy.
The UK Open champ had to be consoled by manager Mac Elkin in the post-match press conference after losing his opening clash in Antwerp.
The Belgian, 32, lost 6-2 to Andrew Gilding in the first big tournament in his home city.
The World No10, who beat world champ Luke Humphries in a controversial UK Open final in March, said: “At the minute I’m very, very emotional.
“My manager has been with me since the start of my career and I could break down in the middle of this interview.”
“Dreammaker” Van den Bergh didn’t continue in the press conference and Elkin then carried on for him.
He said: “I’ve just spoken to Dimitri and told him that I know how hard he finds it.
“He wanted more than anything to win in Belgium generally, not just Antwerp.
“I’ve had to remind him of what he’s already done in the past.
“He’s won seven PDC titles, he’s won two majors, he’s a two time World Youth Champion.
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“But he said to me, ‘Yeah, all them finals I’ve played have been great. But I’ve never in my life felt pressure like I did going on to that stage’.
“He just wants it so much and when you want something so much but can’t have it, it really hurts.
“I’ve seen Dimitri hurt a few times but not like this tonight. I felt that he needed my support. Everyone likes him. And he needs to know that. He wants it so much, but it’s not possible at the moment.”
Inside Littler's massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship at the beginning of the year.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has then gone on to win a host of PDC events and the Premier League title – which he claimed at the O2 Arena by beating world champion Luke Humphries in May.
He also finished his first season in the World Series as the No1 ranked player.
He has joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
But he is newly single after splitting from girlfriend Eloise Milburn following a 10-month relationship.
Check out all of our latest Luke Littler stories.