"Now someone like him or me can win. Hello — that shouldn’t happen if all the top 16 are there" - Suljovic slams PDC with too many tournaments and poor formats hurting rankings

Back on home soil, Mensur Suljovic did not disappoint. A clinical display on the outer ring aided his impeccable 6-2 win over the dangerous yet unpredictable Cameron Menzies at the Austrian Darts Open. In an interview with Dartsnews.com after the match, the 'Gentle Giant' was quick to lambast the PDC as he explained about how the number of tournaments and lack of top players competing in them were hurting the sport, specifically the rankings.

Pinning six from eight doubles while averaging over 94, he kept his opponent at arm's length for a cherished victory in front of his passionate home crowd and loving family. “It’s not just the audience — it’s my family," he said after the match. "I’m playing in front of my family now, so there’s double pressure, unfortunately. But it feels absolutely great.

"The fans were behind me the whole time. They kept saying again and again, ‘Come on, we can do it in England too.’ And I said they should experience what a real home crowd feels like here as well. That was really awesome today.”

He was seen interacting with the crowd a lot of the match. Known for his lethargic moments on the oche which can take the headlines away from a blistering result, he was in brilliant form today and thoroughly enjoyed being on stage. "Yes, exactly. They were behind me all day long. Then suddenly I heard them at the perfect moment, and it was absolutely awesome. The harmony between us was perfect today.”

His level has gone up in recent times, a positive sign from someone who has fallen from great heights. A regular in the Premier League and in the business end of tournaments, he has not been able to keep that form up on the big stage. However, a semi-final and quarterfinal from his prior two appearances on the Players Championship circuit are steps in the right direction, along with the victory over 'Cammy' in the first round in Graz.

“The Players Championship is very different. There are a lot of top players there, so the level is completely different. But home is home. What matters most for me here are my family and my fans."

Nevertheless, the tone would soon change. He complained the setup of events such as the Players Championship, as well as the Premier League Darts, hinting at fewer events on the calendar. "I don’t really like the current Players Championship and Premier League setup, where many of the best players don’t show up," he stated. "That’s why there’s always a new winner. Unfortunately, it hurts the rankings. We need fewer weeks on the PDC calendar, but nothing changes.”

He explained his thoughts behind his frustrations. “The top players have to be there — they have to. The European Tour is one of the most important tournaments, but now many of the big names don’t come. What’s the point?" In Graz this weekend, there is no Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Gary Anderson or Nathan Aspinall. To back up his point even further, the world number one is yet to appear on the floor in 2026.

"At Players Championship events, okay, there can always be surprises. But on the European Tour, the best 16 are supposed to play," he continued. "When hardly any of them come, it changes everything.

"Our rankings suffer because of it. Players stay in England and skip Players Championship events — how is that possible? Now someone like him or me can win. Hello — that shouldn’t happen if all the top 16 are there. Back in 2017 and 2018, the top 16 always won. Now the rankings fluctuate too much, and I don’t accept that honestly. Something has to change.”

In the post 2026/27 PDC World Darts Championship rankings, the Austrian is currently sitting 43rd, comfortably in range of securing his tour card for at least another year. This remains the priority, but Suljovic eyes up a return to the big time.

“No, the Tour Card is always the priority — always for next year," he said, "But the bigger goals are still the major events: qualifying for Blackpool, Dublin, the World Grand Prix. For years I felt I belonged at those tournaments, but unfortunately I had health problems. Now I want to get back there, enjoy those tournaments again, and compete in England where the atmosphere is absolutely incredible when the crowd gets behind you. And in Austria, it’s a completely different feeling again.”

While those events he is not guaranteed to be in, the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt this coming June will most certainly feature him. The two-time finalist will partner Rowby-John Rodriguez as they look to continue their scintillating partnership while representing their country.

He gave an honest view of his teammate's current progress. “I have to be honest — Rowby‑John Rodriguez is in good form at the moment. Yesterday in Kuala Lumpur he maybe wasn’t at his very best, but overall he’s developed really well. We definitely need to train together, and I hope one day we’ll play in Frankfurt, Graz or Vienna again. Then I think we’ll have a real chance to win.”

The main focus is here in Graz. Suljovic has made it past his first round match in the past four Euro Tour events he has participated in. He will look to make it back-to-back third round appearances after returning on the final day of the European Darts Trophy. To do this, he will need to find a way past James Wade. Not an easy task, but on home soil he will sure enough fancy himself to get over the finishing line.