Cullen extra motivated for World Matchplay: "I'm massively fired up this year. Missing out on a few things makes you want it more"

Joe Cullen starts this year's World Matchplay as the thirteenth series leader. In the opening round, he will take on Mike De Decker.

In eight previous appearances at the World Matchplay, Cullen has never managed to get beyond the quarterfinals. "I think my averages this year are far better than they have been in June for the last couple of years," said Cullen. "I think my game is in a decent place, but I'm maybe not quite getting the results I deserve. I'm giving myself plenty of chances."

Much to his own frustration, the 34-year-old Englishman was not invited to the Premier League Darts this year despite losing in the final last year. "I'm massively fired up this year. Missing out on a few things makes you want it more. I want to put my name in the mix for the big events," he says. "I sulked a little bit but sulking gets you nowhere but that gets you nowhere in this sport. I want to play, I'm ready to play and sometimes the time away is just as beneficial as time on the practice board."