Kevin Doets will be one of four debutants at this year’s World Matchplay, and the Dutchman is determined to deliver following his sparkling start to the season.
The world’s top 16 players going head-to-head against the top performing players on the ProTour; the World Matchplay is a showcase for the sport’s elite, and Doets certainly belongs in that bracket.
The unassuming 28-year-old has elevated his game to new heights over the last six months, winning his maiden ranking title, reaching a first European Tour final and breaking into the world’s top 32 as a result.
Following years of steady progress, Doets’ rise has been accelerated in 2026, and he’s relishing the prospect of gracing the iconic Winter Gardens stage for the very first time this summer.
“These are the sorts of moments I’ve been working for since I won a Tour Card,” revealed Doets, who takes on former European Champion Ross Smith in round one.
“In my opinion, the World Matchplay is one of the hardest tournaments to qualify for. This is one of the tournaments you really want to be at, and it is finally my time!
“I’m feeling confident, 100 per cent.
“I won my first title, I made my first European Tour final and I pushed Luke Littler very close at the UK Open, so I’m in a really good place right now and hopefully I can continue that.”
Prior to his breakthrough ProTour victory in May, Doets featured in four semi-finals and a hat-trick of quarter-finals in 2026, underlining his consistency at the top level.
Persistence finally paid off for Doets at Players Championship 13, as he produced a string of dominant displays to triumph in poignant fashion.
“Winning that first title was amazing, especially because everyone was there,” continued Doets – one of eight Dutch stars in this year’s 32-player field.
“My parents were there, my girlfriend was there, her parents were there. My birthday was the day after, so it was really special to do it that day.
“It felt like a weight off my shoulders, because I had come close pretty much all year.
“I made a lot of semi-finals and quarter-finals, so to finally become a winner was a great feeling.”
Doets followed up his Players Championship exploits by progressing to his first big stage final just a matter of days later, succumbing to Josh Rock in an absorbing Austrian Darts Open decider.
However, the man nicknamed ‘Hawkeye’ has his sights set on further success, having already underlined his pedigree on the sport’s biggest stage.
His last two appearances at the World Darts Championship saw him advance to the last 16 on both occasions, courtesy of notable wins against Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall respectively.
Doets won through a compelling tie-break against Smith to prevail in the 2024/25 event, before reeling off six straight legs to stun Aspinall in December – arguably his finest performance on TV.
“I didn’t win a title for no reason. I know I am capable of beating anyone,” Doets declared.
“At the World Championship I’ve beaten some big names like Michael Smith, Krzysztof Ratajski and Nathan Aspinall, but that’s only one stage, so now I’m hoping I can do it on others as well.
“I really enjoy playing on the big stages, and I really enjoy playing in front of a big crowd. I think it brings the best out of me.
“I’m looking forward to the World Matchplay, and hopefully I’m going to produce some good results.
“The target I set myself at the start of the year I’ve already reached!
“I really wanted to win my first title this year and I’m so pleased I did that, but my main target now is to be in the top 20 after the World Championship. That’s the aim.”
