“That is in Ricardo’s hands” - Martin Schindler leaves World Cup call to struggling Pietreczko amid German concern

Martin Schindler began his Austrian Darts Open title defence with a composed 6-2 win over Peter Wright on Saturday night, but the German number one’s post-match focus quickly shifted towards a bigger question hanging over German darts.

With the World Cup of Darts now around a month away in Frankfurt, Schindler was asked about the current situation surrounding Ricardo Pietreczko, who has endured a difficult spell of form and recently retired from his opening match at Players Championship 14. The pair made German darts history at the 2025 World Cup, reaching the semi-finals after a memorable win over England. Whether they arrive in similar shape this year is now one of the key questions heading into the event.

Schindler did not try to hide from the topic, but made clear that any decision over Pietreczko’s readiness has to come from the player himself. “Of course I also noticed what happened at the last Players Championships, including the retirement,” Schindler told Dartsnews.de. “I’ll be honest: that is in Ricardo’s hands.”

Despite Pietreczko’s current problems, Schindler was keen to point back to what his team-mate has already shown on that stage. “He played really well at the World Cup last year, which means everything is there,” he said. “It is like riding a bike - you do not forget how to do it.”

For Schindler, the key issue is trust. If Pietreczko feels capable of taking his place, he says he will back him. If not, Schindler would respect that too. “If he says he feels up to it and trusts himself and his game, then I trust him too,” Schindler explained. “But if, of course, he is also honest enough and says he cannot do it, then I respect that - and then I also think that is a very, very good and mature decision.”

Schindler’s own Saturday night was far more straightforward on the scoreboard than it perhaps felt in performance. His 6-2 win over Wright sent him into finals day in Graz, although he admitted there was still plenty missing from his own level.

“It was not the most consistent game,” he said. “But I will also say it as harshly as it sounds: I do not need that either. I think I am someone who finds it easier to play well when the opponent also plays along - and from a certain point, Peter simply did not do that anymore.”

Wright, a two-time world champion, has been searching for form for some time, and Schindler was direct in his assessment while still showing respect for the player opposite him.

“That is a shame for him and his game, because everyone knows what Peter Wright can play,” he said. “He is very far away from that at the moment. But that does not change anything for me. I have to be there, play my game and win - and I did that today.”

Schindler arrived in Graz as the defending Austrian Darts Open champion, complete with the symbolic green jacket that comes with victory at the event. Even so, he insisted that retaining the title had not been occupying his mind before his opener. “I will be completely honest: I had not thought about it at all beforehand,” he said. “I just want to be here and win the first game. That is important for the rankings, because that has a big influence on the Pro Tour.”

That does not mean the significance of another title in Graz is lost on him. “I probably cannot even describe in words what would happen if I defended the title,” Schindler admitted.

For now, though, his focus remains on finding a more natural rhythm in his own game. “I need to gain a bit more looseness, more naturalness in my game again,” he said.

Schindler is still winning matches without feeling close to his best, and that is the positive he is trying to take into finals day. “I believe in myself and I actually trust myself too,” he said. “But I notice at the moment that the darts are not flying in the way I want them to. Even so, I am still winning quite a lot of matches with my B or C-game.”