"MVG’s vision is probably going — but he won’t admit it": Peter Wright makes bizarre claim about Van Gerwen's eyesight after winning return

Peter Wright progressed safely through the opening round of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship with a straight-sets victory at Alexandra Palace, but the two-time world champion delivered a typically candid and wide-ranging post-match assessment that went far beyond the scoreline.

While the result puts Wright into the second round, the Scot made it clear he was far from satisfied with his overall performance, admitting once again that strong practice form failed to fully carry over onto the biggest stage in darts. "Performance? Absolutely not happy with it. Practice has been going good, but I didn’t transfer it again on stage. I got away with it," he said post match.

Wright was quick to acknowledge the threat posed by his opponent, Noa-Lynn van Leuven, believing the Ally Pally contest could easily have taken a different course had key moments fallen another way. "I feel sorry for Noa-Lynn at crucial times. She played amazing legs, just at the wrong time. If she’d played them at the right time, I would have been in a lot of trouble and could have lost a set."

He also admitted that missed doubles on his own side contributed to a scrappy contest. "Stuff like that, and plus missing doubles as well. So, you know, I got away with it."

Despite the inconsistencies, Wright found some encouragement in his finishing — an area he hopes can underpin a deeper run in the tournament. "If we can match up the doubles and then bring some scoring into the game, that’d be handy."

Next up for Wright is Arno Merk, who impressed in his opening-round victory over Kim Huybrechts. Wright admitted he had been watching that match closely — and confessed to a sense of festive relief at avoiding a familiar danger. "Everyone’s probably thinking you’re playing Kim Huybrechts. Now I’m thinking I don’t want to play Kim Huybrechts on the 23rd of December, ruining my Christmas. But this guy could do exactly the same."

Wright was full of praise for Merk’s performance and warned that he will need to raise his own level. "He played some fantastic darts. His finishing was brilliant. His scoring was good. So I’ve got to step up. Otherwise, I’m going into Christmas and I’m going to make it miserable for everyone else."

The prospect of facing a new opponent also carries its own challenges. "Never played him before. And when I play a new player, I normally lose. So it’s not good. But that’s where I’ve got to play the board, not the player."

Wright’s opening win also saw him embrace the full Snakebite persona once again, complete with a festive Grinch-themed walk-on, something he says never loses its magic. "This is the best stage in the world. This place makes it different because it’s life-changing up on that stage. I enjoyed it."

Even pockets of hostile support were taken in good spirits. "There were a few people in the crowd in the yellow stuff giving me abuse, but I turned them around. That was good."

Asked whether the walk-on antics, including asking van Leuven to remove his gloves, could have influenced the match, Wright dismissed the suggestion outright. "Oh, not at all. No, I don’t think that."

One of the central themes of Wright’s reflections was a clear shift in mindset, moving away from reacting to opponents and instead focusing solely on his own game. "I used to play the player. Now I just play the board. I want the best out of me, not what the opponent is doing."

The Scot referenced his legendary battles with Michael van Gerwen as context for that evolution. "Years ago, I used to play Michael van Gerwen at his peak, he was like the GOAT. It was a privilege to play him in so many finals."

Should the two meet again later in the tournament, Wright admits the approach would inevitably change. "I’d bring an extra gear or two because you’ll need it against Michael. I want to play him. He’s got to win, I’ve got to win. I’d love that for the TV crowd. I want to beat him."

He also named another potential blockbuster opponent. "I’d love to play Gary Anderson, one of the smoothest dart players in the world."

Despite his frustration with form, Wright was adamant that his belief has not wavered — even if a third world title doesn’t come in vintage fashion.

"I know I’m going to win it. I might win it in a horrible, scrappy, nasty way, missing doubles and stuff like that. I might win it in a lucky way and people say, ‘You’re the luckiest 2026 world champion.’ So what? I’ll take it. One million pounds — thank you."

Wright also offered a typically blunt and humorous assessment of the challenges facing the sport’s older stars in an era increasingly dominated by youth — suggesting eyesight may be one of the key differences. "I think their eyesight’s better than ours — that’s about it."

He went on to reference fellow veterans Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen when discussing the physical demands of sustaining elite performance. "Obviously Gary’s on the glasses or contacts. I don’t know if Michael’s wearing contacts at the moment. But I think MVG’s vision is probably going — but he won’t admit it."

Wright added that motivation also plays a major role in the generational gap. "These youngsters haven’t achieved it yet, so they’ve got more fire in their belly."

Asked about former major champion Dimitri Van den Bergh, Wright expressed confidence that the Belgian will rediscover his best form. "Dimi’s a class player — he’ll be back. He’s got family, which is more important than darts."

However, Wright also highlighted the unforgiving nature of professional darts. "If you’re slightly off your game, players jump all over you. It’s ruthless."

On the subject of Scottish darts and the World Cup, Wright admitted his priorities have shifted in recent years. "To be honest, I’m not fussed about the World Cup. Cameron Menzies was the better player the last two years."

Still, loyalty and competitiveness remain. "I’ve still got a bit of a fight in me, and I want to win one more title with Gary Anderson. I’ll fight for that position."

Once again, Wright finds himself entering the World Championship with muted external expectations — something he relishes. "I’d rather that. People put other guys in the press and drag them everywhere while the old guys sneak through. That’s good."

Wright revealed he has spent the build-up experimenting extensively with equipment while competing in exhibitions across Europe. "Trying different sets of darts in Finland, Cologne — playing great players and thinking, ‘I’m not using them at the Worlds.’ So they go in the bin and on to the next set." He added: "In Cologne we had 12,000 people — fantastic."

When asked what a third World Championship crown would mean, Wright’s answer was typically direct. "As soon as I win it, you won’t see me again."

Wright also paid tribute to Paul Lim following the veteran’s latest Ally Pally milestone. "Paul Lim’s still playing darts. He’s a lovely guy and what he’s done for darts around the world is fantastic."

Asked if he envisioned himself competing into his seventies, Wright laughed. "Do I want to be playing at 71? I think Jo will have me in a retirement home by then."

Finally, Wright insisted that the magic of the World Championship has never faded. "You get it every time you come here. It’s so special. You don’t get this anywhere else."