Damon Heta has opened up about his difficult year, his move to the UK, and his new role as leader of Team Australia at the World Cup of Darts, where he will partner Adam Leek for the first time. Speaking to Online Darts, Heta admitted he is his own worst critic and has struggled with results despite feeling his level has been decent.
“I looked back on some stats and stuff and I’ve played half-decent,” Heta said. “I’m just not getting the wins, which is a bit of a bummer because it’s all about the wins no matter how you play, to be honest.” He added that the lack of results took a mental toll, especially toward the end of last season. “You expect so much of yourself — especially myself because I put so much in — and I wasn’t getting the rewards I thought I deserved. So I put that expectation and pressure on myself.”
Heta also revealed he has gone back to his normal dart setup after experimenting with equipment. “I’ve gone back to my normal setup to get that winning feeling back,” he said. “Good dart players can throw pretty much anything, but it comes down to percentages — what’s reliable at your worst.” He acknowledged he overthinks almost everything and is hypercritical of himself.
With Simon Whitlock stepping back from the Australian team, Heta will take on the captaincy at the World Cup of Darts alongside new teammate Adam Leek, who won his PDC Tour Card in January. “Fair play to Simon Whitlock for everything he’s done over the years, but it’s about time some fresh blood came in,” Heta said. “He is keen as anything and ready to rock and roll. He wants to come up for practice and get that team chemistry going.” Heta added that playing for Australia brings extra pressure but is “brilliant.”
Heta, who now lives permanently in the UK, said he is considering buying a house and settling there. He also praised the growth of Australian darts, citing the Premier League in Australia and the rise of talents like Brodie Klinge and Pusey. He expects the World Series of Darts in Australia to be more dangerous for established PDC names this year, saying, “If the Aussie players bring their game, which they can do, and now they’re getting exposure through the Premier League and streamed events, they’ll get used to that stage feeling. Hopefully we get a few upsets.”
