"It sounds arrogant, but my goal is to become world champion" - Ricardo Pietreczko sets bar high at World Darts Championship

Ricardo Pietreczko will make his Ally Pally debut at the upcoming edition of the World Darts Championship. He will play against Mikuru Suzuki on Tuesday, Nov. 19. 'Pikachu qualified for the tournament by through the Pro Tour rankings.

Pietreczko does not plan to visit Alexandra Palace prior to his first match. ''I need that wow effect as a player. Volume is actually not a big problem for me, the loud noise in the venue does not bother me at all," Pikachu explained to Sportschau. "I already know big and loud stages from the PDC circuit."

As mentioned, Pietreczko faces Mikuru Suzuki in his opening match. "I've actually known her for a while, I met her in Japan in 2017 and we played a few legs. I like her very much and I know she can play very well,'' the German explained.

Pietreczko has only really found his feet on the PDC Tour in the last six months and recently showed he is a force to be reckoned with by beating Peter Wright in the final of the German Darts Championship. "I don't think anyone will underestimate me anymore. I showed that I can even beat Michael van Gerwen (whom he defeated 7-6 in the semifinals of the German Darts Championship, ed.)."

The 29-year-old German has set the bar high for his participation in the World Darts Championship. "I know it sounds arrogant, but my goal is to become world champion. I always say: if you don't go to a tournament to win it, you don't have to participate at all."