Darts star spotted wearing ear plugs during shock defeat despite ‘quiet’ atmosphere

Despite playing in one of the quietest atmospheres ever seen at a darts event, Danny Noppert opted for ear plugs.

The world No. 10 was seen sporting the equipment during his round one clash against Man Lok Leung at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters.

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Given ear plugs are meant to block out the noise, it made for a curious choice from Noppert.

However, there was a distinct lack of atmosphere in Riyadh for the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters.

Alcohol consumption in public places is illegal in Saudi Arabia, which meant the event paled in comparison to the party atmosphere that engulfs the World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace.

Instead of singing songs or hurling pints into the air, the crowd in Riyadh politely applauded any big plays at the oche.

Unfortunately for Noppert, those were few and far between as he suffered a shock 6-3 defeat to Hong Kong ace Leung.

However, the world no.10 took to Instagram after the contest to explain his surprisingly low level of performance.

“Been sick the last few days,” Noppert wrote.

“Unfortunately, it was noticeable today, sorry everyone.”

Why did Danny Noppert wear ear plugs?

One reason as to why Noppert may have opted to block out the noise was because sometimes it can be harder to play in a quieter atmosphere compared to the carnival-like Ally Pally or Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Nathan Aspinall, who breezed past the Philippines’ Lourence Ilagan in a 6-1 mauling, endured a similar situation to Noppert at the Bahrain Darts Masters during his match against World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen.

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“If it is quiet, you hear everything,” Aspinall said.

“You hear one person shout something out.

“Maybe that’s why Danny decided to wear the ear plugs. When I played Gian, I had three darts at 10 and I was just about to throw and someone shouted: ‘Double 10, double 10.’

“It puts you off. You have to reset and go again.

“Sometimes when it is quieter and smaller it’s harder to play than your big Premier League arenas.

“It was different. I enjoyed it. You look out to the crowd and they are all watching it.

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“The only thing we had as it is so new out here, you throw a dart at treble 20 and they would clap – and yet you still have another two darts in your hand.

“We’d throw for a double six and miss on the outside and they would clap. That’s why I kept laughing. It was quite funny.

“I enjoyed it. There were a lot more people here than I thought. Hopefully it’s the same on Tuesday.”

Unfortunately for Noppert, his early exit in Riyadh means he won’t have a chance to win a cool £150,000 for hitting the ‘golden bullseye’.

Should a player at this year’s Saudi Arabia Darts Masters hit a nine-darter, they will bank £75,000.

That player could then instantly boost the pay day to £150,000 should they hit the bullseye with their tenth dart.