‘My head’s all over the place’ – Callan Rydz breaks down in tears on stage over relative after edging Ally Pally thriller
A dramatic and emotional scene unfolded at the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace this week as English star Callan Rydz fought back tears during his post-match interview following a thrilling second-round victory.
Rydz, 27, staged an impressive comeback to beat Daryl Gurney in a tense five-set battle, clinching victory with two spectacular 167 checkouts — one of the highest finishes of the tournament so far. (TalkSport)
Despite the on-stage success, Rydz was visibly emotional when speaking to Sky Sports after the match, admitting that he had been struggling to focus because of serious personal issues at home. “My head’s all over the place,” he said as he fought to hold back tears, explaining how difficult it had been to concentrate given what was happening with his family. (TalkSport)
The heartfelt moment resonated with many fans and fellow players, particularly as Rydz has been open about how much his family — and especially his grandfather — has meant to him throughout his darts career. Earlier during the event, Rydz revealed that his grandad had been seriously ill, adding emotional weight to his performance on the Ally Pally stage. (Dartsnieuws.com)
After the win, Rydz even cut short a live interview, overwhelmed by his feelings and the weight of what he described as “family stuff” going on back home. Despite this, he praised Gurney — a friend and competitor — for his support throughout the lead-up to the match. (TalkSport)
Sadly, Rydz’s personal challenges didn’t end with the match: reports confirm that his grandfather passed away shortly after the victory, with Rydz sharing a touching tribute on social media, promising to make his grandparents proud. (thesun.co.uk)
The emotional mix of joy and grief has struck a chord across the darts community, with many fans sending their support as Rydz prepares for his next match in the tournament. Through both his elite performance on the board and his heartfelt openness off it, Rydz has shown the human side of life on the world darts stage — where personal triumph and sorrow can arrive hand in hand. (TalkSport)
