James Wade's early exit from the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship came as quite the shock to fans, as the seasoned player was beaten 3-0 by Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena, marking Wade's third consecutive elimination at this stage of the tournament. Entering the competition as the 16th seed, Wade's defeat at Alexandra Palace not only confirmed him as the first seeded player to bow out but also sent ripples of disappointment through the darting community.
Wade enjoyed a promising start to the match, winning the first leg with ease courtesy of a 13-darter. Yet, his form faltered as Wattimena seized control, reeling off eight consecutive legs. Wattimena's impressive performance saw him taking the next two sets, leading effortlessly by two sets to none.
The pivotal moment came as Wade attempted to turn the tide. After finally posting another leg with double 20, Wade still missed four potential chances at double 10 which could have leveled the final set. Wattimena capitalized on Wade's inconsistency, clinically sealing the match with double eight.
The match's statistics highlighted Wattimena's dominance; he recorded an impressive average of 99.17 compared to Wade’s 97.01. Wade's defeat follows his prediction made earlier, where he expressed confidence about achieving success within the year. "I think I'll win a major in the next 12 months, definitely," Wade said. "But I set myself a target for the backend of this year and it was top ten. I think I'm nearly... I'll be there, thereabouts."
This early exit means Wade’s quest for another major title continues to elude him, as he last reached the semi-finals of this marquee event during the 2022 championships, where he lost to eventual runner-up Michael Smith.
Wade has now exited at this early stage of the tournament for the second time since 2006. While he remains upbeat about violating the trend, his experiences at the World Darts Championship have often been mired by distractions during the Christmas season, which he notes complicates his focus. "I struggle around the World Championships because it's Christmas time; I get quite distracted, it's probably one of the few times of the year I'm quite happy and enjoy things," Wade remarked. He continued, "I kind of get a little bit annoyed because darts is on at Christmas time and I've been doing it for 24 years. I know it's on at Christmas time; I don't know why I act shocked every year. It's just the timescale; it's long for me to keep my head in the right place. But it's all possible, definitely possible. And I'm starting to regularly beat the top players, so it's all good signs for me."
Post-match, Wattimena provided thoughts reflective of his triumph, stating, "I'm over the moon. It was a good day for me. I played well, my finishing was good and I'm more than happy. I'm difficult to beat at the moment. I've been beating big players on stage and I can beat everyone at the moment, so I can make some history." This victory marks Wattimena's first foray to the third round of the World Darts Championship since 2021.
The next challenge for Wattimena will be against either two-time world champion Peter Wright or Wesley Plaisier, who meet later. Meanwhile, Wade must regroup as he faces continued scrutiny and evaluation of his darting significance, particularly as he looks to reclaim the form to challenge for high honors.
While Wade gears up for the upcoming World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, and UK Open Premier League later this year, the shock of this exit serves as motivation for the veteran to bolster his game leading up to future events.
The 2025 PDC World Darts Championship remains one of the premier showcases of darting talent, illustrating the unpredictable nature of sports, and this year proves to be no different, providing dramatic narratives and surprising outcomes for players and fans alike.
