“I’ve always had a lot of time for Mensur. I just think he overstepped the mark in that game” – Joe Cullen reflects on spat with Suljovic at the World Darts Championship

Joe Cullen has been part of professional darts for almost two decades. On his best days, the Englishman can beat anyone. But those who follow his career also know there’s another side to the story: stretches where his level fluctuates and results dip.

In a candid chat with Online Darts in Swansea, Cullen reflects on a turbulent spell—from his early-season form to the much-discussed match against Mensur Suljović at the World Championship.

Cullen started the season with a positive outlook. He says his form is solid, mainly because he has simply put more work into his preparation. Yeah, the form’s been good," says Cullen. "I’ve put a bit of work in for a change, so yeah, I’m playing alright. I think even in the games I’ve been losing I’m still playing okay."

He sees that as a key difference from some phases in his career. The Englishman has often shown he can achieve big things, but just as often his level has dipped. “It’s been a positive start to the year,” he continues. “so now it’s about making it continue rather than just tailing off a little bit.”

Asked when he decided things had to change, Cullen laughs. “It flicks every year, to be fair,” he says. “I’m my own worst enemy. When I practise I’m a better player, when I don’t practise I’m not."

Cullen believes the sport has become so strong that talent alone is no longer enough. “There are that many good players now that there are no easy draws. You need to be on it from the first game."

The extra work is starting to pay off. His results early in the year have already earned him spots at multiple European Tour events. “I’ve started okay. I’m not pulling up any massive trees, but I have started alright. It’s secured me the next few European Tours and things like that, so yeah — it’s been a decent start."

One key target for Cullen is clear: returning to the top 16 of the world rankings. “A lot of people think the top 32 is very important,” he says. “but nothing really comes with being in the 32 apart from getting to the Worlds. The top 16 is the place to be.”

Cullen held that spot firmly for a long time but slipped over the past year and a half. “I was in there for a long time and I’ve slipped out over the last 18 months or so. I’m trying to get back in there.” That, he says, also requires a different mindset. “Do I’m working hard for a change.”

One of the most talked-about moments around Cullen at the last Worlds was his defeat to Mensur Suljovic. Afterward, he openly vented his frustration, particularly about his opponent’s pace and behavior during the match.

Looking back, Cullen admits emotions were running high. “At the time I was so angry,” he says. “The emotion just comes out straight away because you’re that annoyed.” Yet with some distance, he can also be critical of himself.

“But ultimately he averaged 81 and I got beat by an 81 average. I can moan all I want and say he did whatever he did, but he didn’t play well and he still beat me.”

That doesn’t mean Cullen is fully retracting his earlier remarks. "I think Mensur didn’t play the game like it should be played and knew exactly what he was doing — as most people would agree.”

At the same time, he stresses his relationship with the Austrian has always been good. “The hardest part was that I’ve always got on with Mensur. If it’s someone you don’t like, it’s easier to take your anger out a bit. But we’ve always got on really well, so that annoyed me a bit more.”

The tension between the two has largely faded now. Cullen says Suljovic approached him recently. “He actually came up to me last week in Wigan and got my number because he wants me to do an exhibition in Germany with him."

To Cullen, that sums it up. “I’ve always had a lot of time for Mensur. I like him as a person — he’s a nice man and he’s got a lovely family. I just think he overstepped the mark in that game.”

Remarkably, Cullen faced the Austrian again shortly after on the ProTour. This time there was no controversy. “He played fantastic that day,” says Cullen. “He played the game properly, there was nothing untoward in the game. He played well, he was the better player and he won.” Cullen couldn’t resist telling him so. “I said to him, 'You can play properly — well done, congratulations.'’”

The debate around player conduct on stage has flared up more often recently in darts. Michael Smith also spoke out about similar situations. According to Cullen, there is already a rule to curb unsporting behavior. “There’s already a rule there about persistent gamesmanship."

That, Cullen believes, puts referees in a tough spot. “I think referees are put in an awkward position. I think there should be someone independent making those decisions — someone not directly involved in the game.”

He draws a clear line between slow play and deliberate mind games. “A good example is Michael Barnard," Cullen explains. "He was so, so slow, but he couldn’t get out of your way quickly enough. He threw his last dart and moved straight away. There was no gamesmanship — he was just a slow player.”

According to Cullen, the real issue lies in everything that happens in between. “People playing slowly is fine. But some people know exactly what they’re doing between visits. I’ve always been of the opinion that if you don’t think you’re good enough to beat someone just by letting your darts do the talking, then that’s gamesmanship."

With the UK Open around the corner, Cullen sees a new chance to climb the rankings. Due to his current position, he has to enter the tournament earlier this year. “It’ll be a bit different for me this year because I’ve got to play in the afternoon session, which I haven’t done for probably ten years," he says.

Historically, the tournament hasn’t particularly suited him either. “I haven’t got the best record there either, as you know,” he says with a laugh. Still, Cullen mainly sees it as an opportunity. “But every event is a chance to add to the rankings. I’m making somebody beat me and not just rolling over, I’m fine with that."

That, he says, is the difference between acceptable and frustrating defeats. “’m a bad loser, but I’m fine with losing if someone beats me. If someone plays well and beats me, that’s fine."

One of Cullen’s most striking statements is his belief that he structurally belongs among the world’s top sixteen. "My career is nearly 20 years now," he says. "I don’t think there’s ever been a consistent period where I’ve worked hard for a full year."

He gives a recent example. “Last year I worked hard at the start, got to the final of the first Pro Tour event and won another early one. Then I thought, 'Right, that’s put me back into the European places — I can relax a bit.'”

But then the focus slipped. “But it doesn’t work like that anymore. There are too many good players and you get found out quickly, especially on the Pro Tour." Still, Cullen remains convinced of his abilities. “I believe I’m a minimum top-16 player, but the last couple of years suggest I’m not. I’m where I am because of myself. I’m working hard and I hope that continues."

Finally, the role of social media comes up. Cullen has often faced criticism in the past after emotional moments on stage. He can laugh about it now. “I actually see it from the public’s perspective,” he says. “People thinking, “Here he goes again.”

Yet he also uses that as motivation. “But I do use it as motivation and normally play well when people write me off.” But will he still show that publicly as often? “Maybe I’ll just keep it to myself next time,” Cullen says with a smile. “Hopefully get a few fans back on board instead of getting slated all the time.”