Despite his consistent success and impressive track record, James Wade, a multiple major PDC winner, repeatedly finds himself excluded from darts’ most prestigious events like the Premier League and World Series. This ongoing pattern has left “The Machine” questioning the criteria for selection, suggesting his “character” – potentially linked to his publicly acknowledged bipolar disorder – might play a role in why he’s overlooked, even as his statistics prove his elite performance.
The Unexplained Snubs: James Wade’s Frustration
For a darts player of James Wade’s caliber, being consistently left out of the sport’s biggest showcases is a perplexing and frustrating reality. Time and again, when the rosters for events like the Premier League Darts or the lucrative World Series tournaments are announced, Wade’s name is conspicuously absent. This isn’t a one-off oversight; it’s a recurring pattern that has started to wear on the seasoned professional.
A Champion’s Resume Ignored
Wade’s record speaks for itself. He boasts an impressive list of achievements that many players can only dream of:
- Multiple major PDC titles: Proof of his ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stages.
- Two major ranking finals last season: Demonstrating recent, top-tier performance.
- Proven pedigree: A long history of competing at the highest level.
- Longevity in the sport: Consistently remaining a force in darts for many years.
Yet, despite this undeniable evidence of skill and success, it seems these accomplishments are not enough to secure him a spot among the PDC’s headline acts.
Wade Confronts the Silence: “It’s My Character”
After a recent victory at the Masters in Milton Keynes, Wade finally addressed the elephant in the room. His words, while free of bitterness, carried a profound sense of weariness – a feeling of being judged by unspoken rules.
He doesn’t dispute his results; in fact, he leans on them. His argument is firmly rooted in hard data, not emotion:
“There’s only three players that did better than me, the statistics and facts don’t lie,” Wade stated. He pondered the possible reasons for his exclusion with his wife: “Is it my weight, no. Is it that I’m old, no. Is it that I’m not so good looking, no. So it’s the way I am as a character.”
The Personal Toll of Professional Omission
This candid self-assessment takes on a deeper significance when considering Wade’s openness about living with bipolar disorder. He suggests that the very unpredictability he manages daily – an aspect of his “character” – might make him less appealing for the polished promotional packages that accompany major events. This reality, he explains, makes these professional snubs even harder to bear.
“It’s hard to chew when you have the condition that I have as it’s a complete kick in the privates and really knocks your confidence as there’s no apparent reason why I wasn’t in,” he shared, highlighting the emotional impact of feeling excluded without clear justification.
Darts Beyond the Board: Performance vs. Marketability
Wade isn’t seeking sympathy; he’s challenging the evolving framework of professional darts. He’s long understood that modern darts is no longer solely about winning matches. It has expanded to encompass marketability, compelling narratives, and how players are perceived under the bright studio lights.
The question for players like Wade, who prioritize consistent performance over crafted public personas, is where they fit into this new landscape. The criteria for selection seem to extend beyond the dartboard, into the realm of entertainment value and brand appeal.
The Machine Keeps Grinding
Despite the frustrations and the feeling of being an “outsider,” one thing remains undeniably clear: James Wade continues to be a formidable force in darts. The Aldershot native is still winning, still fiercely competing, and still profoundly relevant. Even if the invitations don’t always reflect his standing, he consistently shows up, puts in the hard work, and does what elite athletes do best:
- He lets his darts do the talking.
- He maintains his focus on performance.
- He proves his worth on the oche, even when decision-makers remain silent.
And perhaps it is this unwavering dedication to the sport, this quiet defiance through performance, that gives his voice its undeniable weight when he chooses to speak out.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
