Rodriguez looks forward to chance to gain stage experience at Grand Slam: 'Looking forward to this challenge'

Rusty-Jake Rodriguez is one of the debutants at the Grand Slam of Darts, which starts on Saturday afternoon with the first matches in groups A to D.

The Austrian managed to qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts as winner of the European Development Tour. Of the twelve tournaments played on this circuit, Rodriguez won five.

''I have always known I can perform like this, so i am happy its finally happened'', Rodriguez reacted to his success on the Development Tour in an interview with Dartsnews.com.

The 20-year-old from Vienna competed at the UK Open earlier this year, but did not play on the television stage during that event. Rodriguez thus makes his big stage debut in the PDC at the Grand Slam of Darts, where he has drawn Jonny Clayton, Mervyn King and Bradley Brooks in his group.

''I'm looking forward to getting some stage experience in this great event. There are no easy games and I'm looking forward to the challenge.''

Rusty-Jake's brother Rowby-John Rodriguez is also one of the participants at the Grand Slam of Darts. ''I'm happy that in my first major event, my brother will also be there. Rowby is playing well at the moment so (he) could surprise a few.''

And who knows, maybe in the future we will see the two Rodriguez brothers together in the Austrian team for the World Cup of Darts. ''Of course to represent my country with my brother would be amazing, however I think Mensur (Suljovic) will be around for a while longer yet.''