"Don’t linger too much looking at the rankings": New Latvian star remains grounded after emerging as PDC Nordic and Baltic forerunner

Valters Melderis is currently number one on the Nordic & Baltic rankings, but the Latvian himself remains remarkably down-to-earth about it. Although he is enjoying a rock-solid start to the season with a title and a final place in Gothenburg, he is primarily looking forward: to improvement, to growth and perhaps even to a place on the biggest stage of all: the World Championships in Alexandra Palace.

“It is a good feeling, but I don’t linger too much looking at the rankings and being satisfied, because I know, that it is not really important which position I am in the middle of the season – what matters is the position after the last tournament in Norway," he said to PDC Nordic and Baltic.TV.

At the third and fourth Pro Tour of the Nordic & Baltic season in Gothenburg, Sweden, Melderis showed his class. He took the title in Event 3 and reached the final in Event 4. In doing so, he took the lead in the rankings, but he says that still says little.

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“There are many great players on the tour with high ambitions and I expect the rankings to change after each weekend. I can not say, that I was expecting to be on the top of the rankings, but I know, that my game is at a good place and I enjoy my darts, so I expect to have high-quality games and to bring my highest level as often as possible.”

With his current position, Melderis is also a serious candidate for the Latvian team at the World Cup of Darts later this year. He already got to make his debut in 2024, an experience that made a deep impression.

“I would love to represent Latvia in the World Cup again. Experience from the World Cup 2024 was one of the most intense I’ve ever had in darts – from the lowest and darkest emotions after playing badly and losing to France, to almost euphoria after turning it all around the next day and playing good against Denmark.

"It was amazing to be alongside Madars Razma and see how a true professional prepares for the game and I learned a lot from him and the experience as a whole. There was a certain amount of luck for me to obtain last year’s spot in the team, so this season I am determined to work hard and to make sure that I have earned the place.”

Next weekend two more Nordic & Baltic Pro Tour tournaments are scheduled, this time in Iceland. That is where his full focus is now. “For the upcoming weekend and the rest of the season my main goal is to play at a level, at which I can be proud of how I’ve played after each tournament and will take any success as a benefit. I’m also looking forward to enjoy competing with strong players and just embrace the experience and opportunities that PDC Nordic & Baltic offers.”

Should Melderis maintain his lead, he may compete in the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace at the end of this year. "Regarding Ally Pally; of course, the World Championship is like a “Holy Grail” of darts and to think that I can even be in the conversation about a potential participation is something I could not have imagined when I started to play darts or even a few years ago. But whatever will happen at the end of the season will be the right thing to happen – if I earn my spot, I will have a great experience and make some amazing memories, but if not, I’ll have something to play for also next season.”

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