Darts star suddenly disappears leaving other players 'stunned' at Players Championships

The post-tournament talk of Players Championship 13 should have been about Damon Heta and Nathan Aspinall after the two stars went head-to-head in the final. The Australian prevailed 8-6 in Rosmalen to take his first title of 2025.

However, afterwards, it wasn't just the players involved who were the subject of debate. Dimitri Van den Bergh was also a topic of discussion after going awol moments before his first-round match. The Belgian star was drawn against Portugal's Jose de Sousa, with Monday's clash due to start at 12.25pm.

Four minutes beforehand, though, organisers confirmed that the Belgian star had conceded his match. That's despite all appearing normal as he warmed up on the practice boards.

According to Het Laatste Nieus, the world No.20 was "smiling and relaxed" as he got ready. However, he was said to have promptly picked up his gear and rushed off, leaving players backstage "stunned" at developments.

The fiancee of Van Den Bergh later released a statement via her partner's Facebook page. However, she stopped short of providing the reason for his sudden departure.

"An explanation will follow when the time is right," she wrote. "Dimitri wouldn't do this lightly. In 10 years as a professional, he's never pulled out of a match like this. What had to be done, was done. There's no need for justification - but when the time is right, there will be communication."

Van den Bergh also withdrew from Players Championship 14 the following day. It remains to be seen if he will take his place at the German Darts Grand Prix this weekend.

'The Dreamaker' has been a prominent player on the PDC Tour in the past 12 months, and last year at the 2024 UK Open. That came four years after he won the World Matchplay crown.