Van den Bergh ignored by Wright: 'I just want him to act normal'

The once so good relationship between darts colleagues Peter Wright and Dimitri van den Bergh has changed into a chilly one. 'The Dreammaker' confirmed to the Belgian website 'Het Laatste Nieuws' that the two players are not on speaking terms currently.

How different was the situation in 2020. At the time of the start of the coronapandemic, Van den Bergh stayed at Wright's house for three months and a friendship developed between the former World Matchplay champions.

It was at that tournament that things went wrong this year. Van den Bergh won 16-14 against Wright in Blackpool this year and celebrated this victory exuberantly. Wright then gave him a cold handshake and since then the Scot and the Belgian never exchanged a word.

''I saw him last week (at the Hungarian Darts Trophy, ed.) in Budapest, but we didn't say anything to each other,'' Van den Bergh told HLN. ''I think it's all a bit weird. It has come about since my victory at the World Matchplay. God knows why. Do I mind? Yes, because I haven't done anything wrong.''

''He did indeed take me into his house for three months, a great experience. But if you see how I'm being treated now, that's it for me. I don't spend my time with people who suddenly have no respect for me anymore. I don't expect any gesture from him, but I just want him to act normal. Maybe there is jealousy involved? No idea what's going on in his mind'', Van den Bergh said.