James Wade reveals surprise ‘weakness’ that’s prevented him from winning PDC World Championship

Dec 10, 2025 - 10:15

James Wade believes he has identified the key ‘weakness’ behind his failure to win the PDC World Darts Championship.

The Machine will compete at the event for a 22nd consecutive year this month as he eyes the elusive title.

James Wade of England reacts during his Semi-Finals Match against Michael Smith of England during Day Fifteen of The William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on January 02, 2022 in London, England.

Wade has revealed the ‘weakness’ that has contributed to his wait for a world title[/caption]

Wade is a four-time semi-finalist, most recently in 2022, but is yet to get his hands on the Sid Waddell Trophy.

He will be hoping to finally end that wait come January 3 as the tournament returns to Alexandra Palace.

Ahead of the PDC World Darts Championship, Wade sat down with talkSPORT Darts to discuss his career and future plans.

The 42-year-old revealed his retirement plans as he set out a potential timeframe to hang up his darts.

Wade’s ‘weakness’

Wade, who is currently ranked seventh in the world, also admitted he does not practice as much as he should.

Asked about his routine, he explained: “If I can do five or six hours a week, I’m doing very well. Very, very well.

“That’s always been my weakness and I know that’s been my weakness but I am what I am.

“I’ve won TV tournaments doing that and I’ve also lost first rounds doing that and I’ve been doing it for a long time.

“It’s hard to reinvent yourself as many times as I have and keep up with the Joneses.”

Wade has won 11 major titles since joining the PDC in 2004, with the latest of those coming at the UK Open four years ago.

James Wade of England competes against Jermaine Wattimena of the Netherlands during their round two match on day two of the 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on December 16, 2024 in London, England.

Wade admits the amount he practices lets him down but has also seen him win titles[/caption]

However, he has struggled for form at the PDC World Darts Championship in recent appearances.

Since reaching the last four in 2022, Wade has lost his opening match in each of the previous three years.

His exits to Jim Williams, Matt Campbell and Jermaine Wattimena have all been in the second round after entering as a seeded player.

As for his recent performances at Ally Pally, Wade added: “Underperforming at Ally Pally has been no one else’s excuse, it’s me.

“I’m the one that’s throwing them, it doesn’t matter what you’ve got going on around you, it’s been me that’s not performed.

“No one’s been amazing against me, I’ve just been really poor and below par. You’ve got to be honest with yourself and I haven’t been good enough and that’s why I haven’t progressed further.

James Wade of England in action during his Semi-Finals Match against Michael Smith of England during Day Fifteen of The William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on January 02, 2022 in London, England.

The Machine will be aiming to win a match at Ally Pally for the first time since 2022[/caption]

“There’s no secret, I can’t tell you why. I’d say on two of the occasions (it) has probably been me being lazy in the build-up to the tournament. Not throwing darts and you could use that as an excuse or not, who knows.

“I think if you’re playing well, it doesn’t really matter how many darts you’re throwing. But if you’re not playing well and you haven’t put the work in, there’s no good answer for any of that.”

Wade will be seeded seventh at this month’s tournament, with the field expanded to 128 players.

He is set to face Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto in the first round during the evening session on Wednesday, December 17.

The winner will face either Ricky Evans or Man Lok Leung in the second round.

This year’s event begins on Thursday and will run for over four weeks before the final on January 3.