Adam Gawlas has made a striking admission, revealing that losing his PDC Tour Card in January 2025 after falling outside the top 64 of the Order of Merit ultimately saved his love for darts. The 24-year-old Czech, once seen as a rising talent, described it as a heavy setback at the time, but in hindsight, the enforced step back proved a blessing. Gawlas managed to win back his Tour Card at Q-School this past January, and he credits that year without obligations for giving him the breathing space he needed.
"I think the one year when I didn't have a Tour Card helped me a lot," said Gawlas. "The schedule is so busy. I know when Luke Humphries said after winning the Players Championship that he will have 15 days off because he wants to spend time with his family. The rest of the days, when I am not playing, he is doing the Premier League, European Tour and other stuff. I think the year off helped me a lot to think. I really like to be there and I'm really happy now." Gawlas has started the season strongly, reaching the semi-finals of Players Championship 1 and qualifying for two Euro Tour events, attributing his reset to the time away from the punishing PDC calendar.
Former pro Paul Nicholson has observed a rejuvenated Gawlas, noting a significant change in the player's demeanor. "I remember when he made his debut, we were all looking at each other as if to say, who is he? He grabbed us by the throat on his debut. We all thought Czech darts had got someone who is not Karel Sedlacek," Nicholson recalled. "The pace, the grip and the look on his face have not changed. What has changed is maybe what we can't see — a thing called confidence. I've not seen him look like that for years. He looks confident and borderline cocky."
That renewed swagger was on display at the Poland Darts Masters, where Gawlas battled past Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 in a thrilling first round before bowing out against Jonny Clayton. His performances underscore a player who has rediscovered his passion and form after a challenging period away from the top tier.
