Ricardo Pietreczko and Christian Kist both pulled out of their first-round matches at Players Championship 14 on Tuesday, with both players averaging below 60 points at the time of their withdrawals. Pietreczko retired after just two legs against Jeffrey de Zwaan, while Kist ended his match against Max Hopp after three legs.
Pietreczko, currently Germany's number 2, is enduring one of the toughest phases of his career, with few good results or strong performances. On Monday, he lost 4-6 to compatriot Kai Gotthardt, averaging only 80.46 points. Today, his average was below 60 after two legs, handing de Zwaan a walkover. De Zwaan later lost to Adam Warner in round two. No confirmed reason has been given for Pietreczko's withdrawal, but Fabian Dippold, who commentates in German for PDC.TV on Board 1, suggested dartitis issues again. Pietreczko had previously struggled with his throwing action at the European Tour event in Munich, recently changing his action to throw more 'in one fluid motion' and dispensing with the backswing. He also abandoned a match in 2024 on the European Tour in Hungary due to severe wrist pain.
Christian Kist also withdrew after three legs, averaging below 60 points. He has repeatedly struggled with gout, though it is not known whether that was the reason this time. The hope for both players is that they can compete at the next tournaments without issues. Pietreczko is set to head to Austria this weekend for the sixth European Tour event, and in five weeks he will team up with Martin Schindler at the World Cup of Darts.
