31/05/2022

Lukeman continues to make strides in 2022: "I'm looking good for the World Matchplay, I'd be well up for that"

Martin Lukeman has made a real impression so far this season reaching the final of a European Tour and having continued success all season and he spoke about his mindset going into these matches.

"I'm up for it. I've been working really hard and I'm up for this. I'm not going to mess around, I'm well up for these games. The travelling hasn't been too bad to be honest, the first one in Riesa was a nightmare. It could have put a lot of people off, it was like two planes, two trains and a cab. But after that, it's been alright,"

But what has changed after his opening year of the tour, Lukeman admits it's winning the narrow games.

"It's been the practice on the board and maybe a bit more hunger. Last year, I took a bit of a beating. My confidence weren't hit a lot because I was losing a lot of 6-5's to World Class players. I got some new points from PunkPoints and my darts have been brilliant since," he said to Tungsten Tales.

Humphries and Lukeman faced off in unique clash to keep 'Cool Hand' nickname

Beating Van Gerwen and reaching Munich final

One of his best wins came against Michael van Gerwen as he smashed him 6-1 which of course delighted 'Smash' albeit with Van Gerwen not in his pomp.

"Of course you love playing Michael and especially beating him. Michael didn't play well on the doubles but I'll take that, happy days.

But prior to that like alluded to he reached the final in Munich losing to Luke Humphries and wants to seal the first title now.

"It's been the highlight so far of my PDC career but I've been knocking on the door. I'm just hoping to get this win soon. Then you can relax, you can focus on the rest of your career because I don't want to be opening building sites at 5am anymore."

As well as be in the World Matchplay and all TV tournaments as currently he looks good for a Blackpool debut.

"I want to be in all the TV comps. I'm taking it one competition, one match at a time. I'm looking good for the Matchplay, I'm hitting the practice board good and I'll be well up for that if I get in."