Third start at Ally Pally for Sedláček: 'I want to win the first round'

At the two previous peaks of the darts season (in 2019 and 2021), Sedláček finished in the first round. "The last time I was very close. I want to break it," says the first Czech player in history to receive professional darts status in an extensive interview with Flashscore.

You are returning to Alexandra Palace for the third time at the World Championships. What does that mean to you?

"It's simple. It's the biggest and most amazing tournament a darts player can experience. Just getting there is a huge honour and reward because you have to play a lot of tournaments throughout the year to qualify. It's also a well-paid reward, really the best. Since I will be competing in the World Championship for the third time, I can say that I already know what I'm getting into. I have some experience, which I feel is an advantage."

You're up against Australia's Raymond Smith in the first round...

"What are we going to lie to ourselves about? He's a tough opponent. You don't hear about him all year because he plays without a card. It's unpredictable. But last year he reached the round of 16 and only one win separated him from winning a card. It's going to be a big unknown in that respect, but I know what he did last year and I'm preparing based on that."

Zlej Kája will play the duel of the first round on Sunday, December 18th - follow it here with Flashscore!

You will face-off in the iconic "Ally Pally", which is different from modern halls like London's O2 Arena...

"Ally Pally has an incredible charm. It is an older building, but when the spectators enter it, it turns into a huge display. There is a refreshment hall where stalls will grow like in Prague. There is a huge rush, thousands of fans mingle. And the hall itself? It's a beautiful thing. It exudes a magical charm. If they let me out of the training room on stage, I'll stay there until the end of the year. Maybe the next one (laughs). It's a labyrinth. When they drag you out of the rooms for an interview, photo shoot, so you walk through thousands of corridors. It's extremely interesting."

You have established yourself in the world of darts. You are currently finishing your third season among the professionals. What has changed in that time?

"It seems a bit easier to me. What can we say, when a person comes somewhere for the first time, they are scared of it willy-nilly. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. Until I hit it, I was scared and couldn't gain experience. Over time, I come back to tournaments like home. I mix with my colleagues, with whom I chat. Although my English is not a miracle, I am able to communicate on basic things. You can talk about darts over and over again (laughs). Of course, the others treat me differently than when I came there as a bunny the first time. I see the biggest difference in the consistency of performances. I feel that with difficult matches I am improving and gaining more experience that I can use afterwards."

Is there rivalry between dart players?

"Everyone doesn't get along with everyone. That's just the way it goes. I'm quite conflict-free, I'll talk to everyone. There are players who hide in a corner, shoot at their target and don't need to talk to anyone. Either they want peace or they're shy and don't need to talk to anyone, on the other hand. there are a lot of players who went through the BDO, where everything worked like one big family - sitting at the same table, having a beer and laughing. Some continue to do that. Then there are young Dutch and English people they put headphones in their ears and eat their own."

And with Smith?

"It's about money, that's where the opponent would most like to damage you, nobody wants to lose. In short, there's a lot of rivalry. As soon as the match is over, the players shake hands and in five minutes they're talking calmly."

You are known for your good nature...

"Sometimes they tell me that it's harmful. They say I shouldn't make friends like that, but sometimes I'm also a little nasty. But that doesn't suit me at all. I think that a person is able to win even if he acts calmly. I behave normally and I don't see a problem with that."

The atmosphere at darts is specific compared to some sports. Can the audience have an impact?

"They can definitely. The problem is when you're not doing well, you're out of tune and someone yells at you. It's not entirely satisfactory. I personally go up to the stage, say hello and turn my head off. On the contrary, a full hall in which it's boiling over is more pleasant than when an individual yells at you. I experienced Ally Pally without spectators. There was me, the opposing player, three referees, five cameramen and sound engineers. The 'atmosphere' was pouring out of the speakers, it was a special experience."

Sport is overwhelmingly about physical and mental preparation. But throwing darts is something completely different...

"For many players, it's an encouragement. There doesn't need to be any extra preparation, you just have to keep throwing as long as possible and as well as possible. But throwing is not just throwing, it has to make sense. You need to maintain concentration. Mental preparation is a chapter in itself. Everyone sooner or later will encounter it and find out what suits them. If it's a mental coach, meditation. Somehow, the mind needs to be freed so that a person can get to the stage where they can turn off their head even in front of a full hall and show their best."

Three women will also play at the World Cup. Fallon Sherrock shined two years ago...

"Fallon got to the third round, which was unique. And deservedly so, she played beautiful darts. I met Lisa Ashton on the circuit, also a great player. I convinced myself that she is capable shoot a guy with an average of over 100. But I have no experience with women at the top level. And now that the World Cup was being drawn, I confess that I didn't want to run into them, I don't even know how they would behave. What are we going to talk about? When a woman comes on, the whole hall cheers for her. Plus, they're great darts players. It must be very difficult."

What are you going to do in London this year?

"A player's goals should always be high, but at the same time realistic. For me personally, it is important to win the first round. It does not guarantee anything, but for me it is a big step. Two years ago I was very close. I remember those doubles. I wanted I'd like to break through. I believe if I get through the first match I'm able to build on that and continue to do well. I'd need to win twice to get the card. That would be fantastic. I've got it in the back of my mind. I just want to enjoy myself. All the time I really enjoy it, I would say that more and more."