Darts Injury Report: Danny Noppert Battles Through Severe Illness to Keep 2026 Campaign on Track

The grueling nature of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) European Tour is notorious for testing the physical limits of its competitors. Dutch star Danny "The Freeze" Noppert has recently lived up to his icy moniker, battling through a severe physical setback to keep his 2026 season alive and maintain his elite ranking.[1]

The world number ten recently revealed the extent of a nasty stomach bug that nearly forced him to withdraw from the Austrian Darts Open. The illness left him severely depleted, struggling with a lack of sleep and constant physical distress in the hours leading up to his crucial stage matches.

"It's been a battle the last couple of days," Noppert admitted to reporters during the tournament. "I've had such a bad stomach. I don't know why. A lot of problems on the toilet and less sleep." The Dutch star confessed that he woke up on the morning of his opening match entirely convinced he would be unable to compete.

Despite the severe discomfort, Noppert took to the stage and managed to grind out a gritty victory over Scotland's Alan Soutar. It was a performance built entirely on resilience rather than peak form, with Noppert rushing off the stage immediately after securing the winning double to tend to his illness.

"There wasn't a performance here tonight as well, but I'm happy that I won and I'm still fighting," Noppert said after the grueling match. "Maybe a little bit better than yesterday. Yesterday I thought, 'I can't play today,' but I'm still waiting for the moment where I feel good again."

To manage the condition and stay in the tournament, Noppert has relied on a highly specific, stripped-down diet. He revealed that he has been surviving almost exclusively on eggs and bananas to settle his stomach and maintain enough energy to throw accurately. "No, I feel unwell and I win as well! Yes, of course, I'm having eggs and bananas to try and improve again," he joked, noting that this is not his first bout with this particular type of bug.

Noppert's ability to push through physical adversity is even more impressive given the mental hurdles he already navigates on the oche. The 35-year-old former UK Open champion has previously spoken openly about living with ADHD, which can make maintaining concentration in loud, chaotic arena environments a significant challenge.

"When I was younger, I already had problems concentrating and listening to the teacher," Noppert explained earlier this year. He noted that crowd disruptions or minor stage incidents can easily break his rhythm, requiring immense mental discipline to reset and refocus before his next throw.

Combining the mental taxation of managing ADHD with the physical exhaustion of a severe stomach virus makes Noppert's recent victories a testament to his competitive endurance. He remains determined to keep the Dutch flag flying high on the tour, drawing inspiration from his compatriot Wessel Nijman, who recently secured his fifth ProTour title of the year.[2]

Calling Nijman's recent form "unbelievable," Noppert has made it clear that he intends to join his fellow countryman in the winner's circle. "I want to win more titles," Noppert stated regarding his ambitions for the remainder of 2026. "Also on the floor or maybe on the European Tour. Maybe it's time to take bigger steps."

As he prepares for the grueling summer stretch of the PDC calendar, including the upcoming World Matchplay, Noppert's primary focus remains on returning to full physical health. If he can secure victories while running on empty, a fully fit and focused "Freeze" promises to be a formidable threat to the rest of the darting elite.[1]