Gian van Veen’s incredible rise to prominence over the last 18 months has been one of the darting stories of the decade. After overcoming a prolonged battle with dartitis, Van Veen has now established himself as the Dutch number one – a considerable achievement given the plethora of talent in the Netherlands at present. The […]
Gian van Veen’s incredible rise to prominence over the last 18 months has been one of the darting stories of the decade.
After overcoming a prolonged battle with dartitis, Van Veen has now established himself as the Dutch number one – a considerable achievement given the plethora of talent in the Netherlands at present.
The 24-year-old is also provisionally poised to leapfrog Luke Humphries and become the world number two following this year’s BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix in Leicester.
Van Veen’s ascension has not been without obstacles however, evidenced by his kidney stones surgery in March, which ultimately derailed his debut Premier League campaign.
The Dutchman experienced a slump in form following his return to fitness, but his run to the semi-finals of July’s World Matchplay appeared to turn the tide.
Van Veen also reached the last four on home soil at last weekend’s World Series of Darts Finals, before kicking off his World Grand Prix campaign with a straight-sets success against Dirk van Duijvenbode.
“This year has been tough, but the last couple of weeks have been really good,” reflected Van Veen, fresh from celebrating his first win in the double-start event.
“When I beat [Karel] Sedlacek in Amsterdam, I said that a couple of months ago I would have lost that game, and it was the same against Dirk.
“I think the double 16 I hit for the 69 finish showed how much confidence I have in my own game.
“I probably would have missed that a couple of months ago because I was doubting myself, so I think this is a big step for myself.
“Maybe I’m not back to where I was at my peak last year, but I’m getting there and I feel close to it.”
Van Veen’s aforementioned peak included a breakthrough win at the European Championship last October, which he backed up with a magnificent run to January’s World Darts Championship final.
Yet, by his own admission, he was left questioning his credentials just months later, illustrating the jeopardy of competing at the sport’s highest level.
“It’s been very tough,” continued the two-time World Youth Champion.
“I played so many European Tours week in week out where I lost my first game, and I was sat in my hotel room thinking: ‘How do I turn this around?’
“It was difficult, but I spoke to the right people, I practiced a lot, put big effort in and I think that’s what really turned my game around.
“I’m a person that always keeps thoughts to myself, but that’s not how it works.
“I have had a mental coach for the past few years. I’ve spoken to him quite a lot over the last couple of months about my feelings and I’ve talked about what I feel is going wrong.
“I think that’s important not only for my game, but also for my own personal life. I think the impact is showing in the way I’m playing, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Sports psychology has played an increasingly prominent role within the game over recent years, with Nathan Aspinall and Stephen Bunting amongst the stars to have spoken candidly about their respective experiences.
Van Veen believes players’ attitudes to psychology and the mental aspect of the game have evolved, particularly when considering the current spotlight afforded to the sport’s leading stars.
“Maybe five or ten years ago, players would say: ’No that’s not for us,’” conceded the world number three.
“I think the sport is changing, the pressure is changing on every single player, and I think it’s necessary.
“I feel the pressure of course. We all do.
“I can speak to my mental coach about my own story and how I feel, and I think that’s very necessary for a player like me.”
However, Van Veen’s immediate focus is centred on his clash against Ryan Searle on Thursday evening, as the pair renew their rivalry for a place in the quarter-finals at the Mattioli Arena.
Searle has won five of their previous nine meetings, although Van Veen did run out a comprehensive 10-2 winner when they met during his march towards European Championship glory last year.