Chris Dobey has opened up about a tense moment during his first-round match at the World Darts Championship, admitting emotions briefly got the better of him after an incident involving his opponent.
Competing on the famous stage at Alexandra Palace, Dobey was involved in a heated exchange that momentarily disrupted the flow of the contest. While the match itself remained competitive, the England international later revealed he was frustrated by what he felt was an unnecessary distraction at a crucial point.
“I had to take a breath”
Speaking after the match, Dobey conceded that his initial reaction was one of anger, but stressed he quickly regained control.
“In the heat of the moment, I was really annoyed,” he admitted. “But you’ve got to rein it in. This is the World Championship — you can’t let something like that derail you.”
Dobey chose not to dwell on the specifics of the incident, instead focusing on how he managed his emotions and reset mentally before stepping back to the oche.
Pressure-cooker atmosphere
The World Darts Championship is renowned for its intensity, with packed crowds, bright lights and huge expectations amplifying even minor moments. Dobey acknowledged that under those conditions, emotions can run high.
“Ally Pally brings out everything,” he said. “You feel every leg, every moment. It’s about staying professional, no matter what happens.”
Respect restored
Despite the flash of frustration, Dobey was keen to emphasise that there was no lasting issue between the players. He praised his opponent for the contest and insisted mutual respect remained intact once the match concluded.
Fans largely backed Dobey’s honesty, with many appreciating his openness about the emotional challenges players face on the sport’s biggest stage.
Eyes forward
With the first round safely negotiated, Dobey is now focused on building momentum as the tournament progresses. He believes handling moments like this calmly is key to going deep at Ally Pally.
“At this level, it’s not just about how well you throw,” he said. “It’s how you handle everything else.”
The brief flare-up ultimately became just another subplot in the drama of the World Darts Championship — a reminder that even at the top level, passion is never far from the surface.
