Newcastle darts star Callan Rydz’s heartbreaking message minutes after storming off PDC stage

Callan Rydz
-Credit: (Image: Paul Harding/Getty Images)


Darts star Callan Rydz posted a heartbreaking message after his devastating loss in the Hungarian Darts trophy

The 26-year-old, born in Newcastle, went head-to-head with Florian Hempel in the first round of the competition as he looked to clinch the £30k prize. But despite a strong start in Budapest where he built a promising 5-2 lead, Rydz was unable to get the win over the line as Hempel made a remarkable comeback.

Hempel managed to win four legs on the bounce to record a 6-5 victory, having been on the brink of defeat. That left Rydz extremely frustrated, letting the win slip away in a continuation of his recent run of bad luck.

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Rydz had already endured a challenging few days, suffering another close defeat to Chris Dobey at Players Championship 20 on Tuesday, followed by a first round loss to William O'Connor the next day. These results appeared to have affected Rydz deeply, who opened up about his struggles on the oche and difficulty dealing with the backlash on social media.

"Not sure I can keep playing and suffering, I enjoy my time away from from darts too much to suffer like this, bottling games all the time," Rydz wrote on Instagram.

"Bah, it's a lonely f****** place but f*** me, when you lose the s*** you get is not good for anyone. Am just trying to earn a living but am not sure it's worth bothering fighting for...If you have my number and need me, text me, I won't be on any social media at all for a long time."

Rydz punched his darts holder while he was walking off stage
Rydz punched his darts holder while he was walking off stage

Rydz, from Bedlington, was left bitterly disappointed after averaging 88.60 against Hempel in Hungary, visibly upset as he bit his shirt and punched his darts case while leaving the stage.

While Hempel celebrated his result at the end of the match, commentators painted a vivid picture of Rydz’s disappointment, saying: "[Hempel] was 5-2 down against Callan Rydz, who almost can't look him in the eye. He is absolutely devastated, just look at him, biting the shirt, furious with himself."

Despite the setback and leaving the tournament with £1,250 for his first round exit, the world No. 38 ranked Rydz has another opportunity to get back to winning ways soon. The Players Championship 22 event, set to take place in Leicester on Tuesday, provides an immediate shot at redemption, with the PDC also returning to the Mattioli Arena the next day.