"Can we just sweep this under the rug? I said: Fine by me" – Mensur Suljovic cleared the air with Joe Cullen after World Darts Championship incident

On Thursday evening, Mensur Suljovic appeared as a guest on Sport1’s show Madhouse as part of the build-up to the Premier League of Darts. The Austrian darts legend joined live and spoke with Katharina Kleinfeldt, Max Hopp, and Basti Schwele about his daily life, his form, and the sport’s development in his homeland.

Suljovic set a positive tone early with a charming reply. Asked where he was at that moment, the Viennese explained he was at a service station. A billboard with various dishes was visible in the background. It fit perfectly, as the conversation quickly turned to food.

Suljovic also revealed his top culinary choice on the road. “I prefer to go to Burger King, I have to be honest,” said the Austrian with a broad smile. At the same time, he made it clear that this only applied when traveling. At home, things were very different, he stressed, because that’s where his wife cooks best.

His birthday, which he had celebrated just a few days earlier, also came up. Suljovic explained that he spent it much like his current evening. Instead of a service station, however, he had been at the airport.

The discussion then shifted to the sporting side. When Kleinfeldt asked what gets better with age, Suljovic turned the focus to the younger generation in darts. He was particularly impressed by their consistency and resilience.

“I think this concentration from the young people is getting better and better, and this endurance,” said Suljovic. The top players can now deliver at the highest level week after week. Whenever you think the next week might be a touch calmer, they raise the bar again. The Austrian had only praise for the standard on stage and offered the players his “absolute respect.”

Basti Schwele then touched on Suljovic’s own age and asked whether the 54-year-old had been forced to scale back his tournament and training workload. Suljovic answered openly and honestly. Breaks and holidays are definitely important at his age. At the same time, he made it clear he still invests a great deal.

“Yes, Basti, absolutely. I’m 54 years old now. You really have to take a break, you have to take a holiday,” said Suljovic. He immediately added, however, that there is hardly a day without training for him. Even on holiday he takes his darts and his dartboard with him. It’s the only way he can keep up with the best.

He currently practices especially often with Max Hopp. Around the Players Championship events in particular, they throw together frequently. In this context, Suljovic also shared an amusing anecdote about a perfect leg.

“When he threw a 9-darter in a match, I threw a 9-darter in practice,” reported Suljovic. With a laugh, he added that Hopp was still a touch better in that regard because he hit the 9-darter in a match. Suljovic paid the German great respect for that. A 9-darter or even a 10-darter is, for him, a clear sign that consistent practice pays off.

The incident with Joe Cullen was, of course, also addressed. Kleinfeldt asked Suljovic about his relationship with the Englishman after tensions at the 2026 World Darts Championship. Suljovic made it clear he had long since drawn a line under it.

“At the Winmau World Masters he immediately said: Can we just sweep this under the rug? I said: Fine by me,” said Suljovic. For him, the matter had been settled from the start, even if Cullen apparently wrestled with it longer. By now it’s all over.

Max Hopp, who was also discussed on the show, reminded viewers that Suljovic and Cullen had already met again this year. The Austrian had a humorous answer ready for that as well. “But this time I played in his rhythm, I played faster, and then he lost,” said Suljovic with a laugh.

The conversation then turned to his stage persona. The question was whether his demeanour is more of a strength or perhaps a weakness. After all, it can disrupt an opponent’s rhythm, but possibly his own as well.

Suljovic’s assessment was surprisingly critical. “Unfortunately a weakness, because I’m not always fully focused,” he explained. At the same time, he made it clear he would remain a fair sportsman regardless. “However, I’m definitely a gentleman, I always have been and always will be.”

Suljovic was particularly forthright on Austrian darts. Asked about the development in his homeland, he chose clear words. In his view, the standard is currently in a difficult phase.

“Unfortunately, at the moment a very bad situation,” said Suljovic. There is hardly any new talent coming through, and many players lack the courage to take the final step and really push forward. He drew a comparison with Germany, where an enormous amount has happened over the past ten years. Austria, by contrast, has rather lost ground in that time.

Suljovic even said that Austria is now roughly ten years behind Germany. He described Germany’s Bundesliga as brutally strong. A comparison with Austria is hardly possible at present. Even if he felt a little sorry to say it, he wanted to express his assessment honestly and clearly.

Finally, talk turned to his future plans. From the presenters’ perspective, Austria’s current situation means one thing above all: Suljovic will likely have to carry on for quite a while. He had no objections to that idea.

“I just turned 54, I’ll be around for the next ten years at least,” said Suljovic with a broad laugh. He also sees a clear task for himself. “Max needs a partner,” he remarked with a wink. His sporting ambition remains high anyway. Suljovic wants to return to the world’s top 32. And even if that doesn’t work out, the ranking would at least have a charming side effect for him: “If not, then I’ll stay 54, 55 – just like my age.”