Peter Wright was unable to control his emotions on Wednesday after he had defeated Michael van Gerwen in the final of the World Cup darts in London (7-3). De Schot believes that with his first world title he has stifled the mouths of critics, including Van Gerwen.
“Michael called me a clown five years ago. According to him, I didn’t look good with my clothes and haircut, but who is the last person to laugh?” Said the eccentric Wright with a big smile at Alexandra Palace.
“It makes it extra special for me to take my first world title against Michael. Everyone wants to beat him. He has won everything that can be won and almost all tournaments more than once. He is the number one in the world for good reason. “
Wright had to wait until his 49th for his first world title. He already had an excellent opportunity in 2014, but then clearly had to acknowledge his superiority in Van Gerwen, who then won his first of three world titles so far.
“I wasn’t ready to become a world champion back then, but this time I did. I have experienced a strong development since 2014. I have grown up and learned from my mistakes. This is another Wright, another Snakebite.”
“Michael will undoubtedly want to take revenge on me, but I want to keep beating him and if I do that again next year at the World Cup, then I will become the number one in the world. That is my goal. I believe in my qualities. I now also have the arrows to do it. “
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Peter Wright and his wife pose with the cup. (Photo: PDC / Lawrence Lustig)
“World title will not change anything about me as a person”
Wright made an impression at this World Championship, except for the first round, in which he escaped elimination against the relatively unknown Noel Malicdem, and also convinced Van Gerwen again. He was not even better in terms of average than the defending champion, but mainly made the difference on doubles at crucial moments.
“I was confident from the start that I was going to win, even though Michael would play well this time. He missed a few times at key moments, but I did that earlier in the game. It wasn’t perfection on my part I was nervous at the start, but after the fifth set relaxation came in my game and that helped me. “
Wright broke through with his victory even after years of setback the curse against Van Gerwen. He went down in all eleven previous finals he played against Van Gerwen, with the Premier League of Darts low in 2017, when he collapsed under pressure and missed no less than six match darts.
“That is why I always insisted on myself that I had to stay focused until the end. I often thought to Michael that I was already there and then I saw myself standing with the cup. Then he kept coming back back. Not this time. A big burden has fallen off my shoulders. “
“This world title won’t change anything about me as a person. I’ve always been an up and down player. I don’t always take the game seriously. I’m on stage to enjoy and make a doll with the fans. So watch millions of people come to me too. I’m not going to wear boring black clothes now
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