Martin Schindler speaks out after Grand Prix exit: "Nevertheless, I'm positive and looking ahead"

Martin Schindler was unable to continue his outstanding run of recent weeks and months at the PDC World Grand Prix 2024. Nevertheless, The Wall showed some strong performances in Leicester and posted a positive summary on Instagram on Thursday.

"Unfortunately, the World Grand Prix ended in the second round, but the positive thing is that the whole match was decided by myself and not me just getting outclassed," Schindler wrote in his latest Instagram post. The Wall had started the tournament on Monday evening with a dominant 2-0 win over Brendan Dolan. In the round of 16, Schindler finally lost 3-1 to world number four Rob Cross, who was in top form.

"There was more in it, I know that, but I'm still positive and looking forward," said the 28-year-old. Despite his supposedly early elimination, Schindler moved up two places in the world rankings. With prize money of £15,000, he overtook Dirk van Duijvenbode and Andrew Gilding, meaning that the German is currently ranked 22nd in the Order of Merit.

Traditionally, the World Grand Prix is the starting signal for the final phase of the PDC season. In his Instagram post Schindler announced that after his Pro Tour break last week he will return to England on Monday to take part in the Players Championship tournaments 27 and 28.

However, Schindler has almost certainly already qualified for the most important major tournaments of the year. Due to his top 32 position in the world rankings, The Wall will start the World Darts Championship as a seeded player. With 44th place in the Players Championship Order of Merit, Schindler does not have to worry too much about his participation in the Players Championship Finals, even after a somewhat weaker floor season. Even if the German has not reached a Major final before the Grand Slam of Darts, his title wins on the European Tour make him a hot candidate for the reserve list.

At the European Darts Championship in Dortmund, which begins on October 24, Schindler could make darts history once again: Thanks to his outstanding European Tour season, the 28-year-old will start the tournament in first position on the seeding list - something no German player has ever achieved at a PDC Major.