Michael van Gerwen Slams Peter Wright's Nonsense Comments Ahead Of World Darts Championship Quarter-Finals
On the eve of the World Darts Championship quarter-finals, tensions are rising as three-time champion Michael van Gerwen has publicly called out fellow competitor Peter Wright for his remarks surrounding the tournament favorites. Van Gerwen took exception to Wright's assertion endorsing Callan Rydz as the new frontrunner for the title, dismissing the claim as ‘nonsense.’
Wright's comments followed his upset victory over defending champion Luke Humphries, where he claimed, "I want to play like Callan Rydz, he should be the favourite for this tournament." Rydz has showcased impressive form, producing two of the tournament's highest averages – 107.06 and 105.31 – demonstrating his ability to challenge for the title. Despite this, Van Gerwen refuted the notion of Rydz being the favorite, arguing instead for the tournament's other hot contender, the 17-year-old Luke Littler.
“Yes, Peter Wright,” Van Gerwen remarked, before pausing to frame his views. “Every year at the Worlds, he talks such nonsense... Nobody takes him seriously on the tour as well.” The rivalry not only reflects their competitive spirits but also sheds light on Wright's bold claims and his hunger for upset against younger players like Littler.
Following his own victory over Jeffrey de Graaf, Van Gerwen is gearing up for his own clash against Rydz. “I think he’s got the highest tournament average so far,” Van Gerwen acknowledged, alluding to Rydz’s undeniable prowess. But his primary focus remains on delivering his best performance: "When I play well, I don't panic. When I keep focus, anything is possible. I’m here to win a tournament, and we all know it.”
Meanwhile, Peter Wright remains undeterred by Van Gerwen's outburst. Wright has expressed his belief about continuing his competitive edge, stating, “I believe I can win it again. I’m not ready for the seniors tour.” With rising stakes, he seeks to place pressure on Littler, expressing his readiness to upset both Littler and Humphries along the way.
Adding to the drama, Van Gerwen did not shy away from providing his insights on Luke Littler’s performance, declaring him to be “the biggest disappointment so far” based on the expectations surrounding his matchups. Littler has proven to be quite resilient, averaging over 100 with each performance, yet Van Gerwen’s criticism places additional pressure on the teenager to deliver as he gears for his quarter-final against Nathan Aspinall.
Within the broader scope of the tournament, the upcoming quarter-finals, set to be held on New Year’s Day, promise high-stakes matches. Chris Dobey will challenge Gerwyn Price first, followed by the highly anticipated showdowns between Wright and Stephen Bunting, and Littler against Aspinall.
The fact remains, Van Gerwen's sharp observations and the bubbling rivalry with Wright are just as compelling as the matches themselves. Darts fans should prepare for what could be one of the most exciting and fierce finals yet, especially amid all the trash-talking and back-and-forth exchanges dominating pre-match narratives.
Will Van Gerwen dismiss Wright's deriding talk and stamp his authority on the tournament? Or will Wright's upset visions manifest on the Ally Pally stage? With every player eager to claim the coveted title, one thing is certain: the pressure intensifies as each round progresses.
Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports Darts, ensuring they don’t miss any of the electrifying moments leading to the crowning champion of this year’s World Darts Championship.