Scott Williams Reveals Battle with – and Triumph Over – Dartitis
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A psychological hurdle that has plagued professional darts players, dartitis is the focus of a revealing account from Scott Williams following his opening victory at the World Darts Championship. Williams, who secured a win in his first-round match at the Darts-WM 2026 (live through January 3rd on SPORT1), detailed his struggle with the condition during a difficult autumn period.
Despite his strong performance against Paolo Nebrida, winning 3-0, Williams admitted to a challenging few months. He explained that a successful first three-quarters of the year was disrupted by personal issues and general life stressors. “I played very well for the first three quarters of the year. Then there were a few things at home and a lot of things in general that kept me busy. That was a blow. You have to change something and that’s why the problems with dartitis came,” Williams shared at a post-match press conference. He affirmed his recovery, stating, “But I got over that and I’m stronger than ever. It was maybe my best game in six months.”
Understanding Dartitis: A Psychological Blockage
The issue surfaced publicly in late October when a video circulated showing Williams visibly struggling to release darts during a match at the Players Championship 33. This demonstrated the telltale sign of dartitis, described as a type of psychological blockage affecting throwing mechanics. Williams clarified that the problem existed for a month prior to the viral video, but only gained attention once it became public. “The problem with twitching or dartitis is that so many people jump on it. I had it for a month before that Ryan Joyce video, but no one saw it. As soon as it came out, people were writing to me and treating me like I had cancer,” he recounted. He emphasized his well-being, adding, “I’m okay, I’m fine, I’ll get over it.”
Criticism of Media Coverage
Williams also voiced frustration with the media’s handling of his situation, accusing some journalists of a lack of understanding regarding the condition. “The problem was that there were so many journalists who had no idea about this game, no idea about dartitis and darts in general. I was asked if I wanted to talk about it. ‘No, I don’t want to talk about it,’” he stated firmly. He explained the counterproductive nature of dwelling on the issue, noting, “The more you talk about it, the bigger it becomes in your head: ‘I’ve got it.'”
Overcoming the Mental Hurdle
The 2024 World Cup semi-finalist successfully navigated through the difficulties by November. “In the last six weeks I haven’t had it, no matter where I’ve played. It’s about mental ability to put that behind you,” Williams explained, attributing his recovery to mental fortitude. He is not alone in his experience; other prominent players, including Nathan Aspinall, Gian van Veen, Mensur Suljovic, and Beau Greaves, have also battled with dartitis in the past.
