"At the end of the year when I’m lifting the World Championship! Yeah, I’m going to win it": Peter Wright makes bold Ally Pally claim amid recent abject form
PDC
Peter Wright took down Zoran Lerchbacher 6-2 to reach the second round at the Austrian Darts Open and will now aim to topple the defending champion later today in Martin Schindler.
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But for Wright, given his pretty indifferent form as of late over the past 18 months or so, he is left lamenting what could be. Speaking to DartsNews post-match, he said that he needs to pull his finger out, but also hit back at the notion that he wasn't currently qualified for the World Matchplay, saying if he wins the title, that'll soon change.
"It was nice to be in a different venue and to experience the practice area as well. It’s totally different compared to the past couple of years in Austria when we were playing in a tent, and it was like a sauna," said Wright to DartsNews.
“It was really nice, the crowd was really good, I enjoyed it, and I’m happy to get the win. Obviously, Zoran is a fantastic player. After the first leg, I think the nerves kicked in for him a little bit. I had a little bit of nerves as well, to be honest, because I’m fed up with the money not going on the rankings. But it’s only down to me. I’ve got to pull my finger out.”
Hits back at notion of World Matchplay and World Grand Prix qualification being improbable
But given that he has now played up on that stage, Wright said he should have no excuses in reality when it comes to now facing off against Martin Schindler. “Yeah, definitely. Obviously it affects the seedings in the next round as well. For example, it’s a disadvantage for Martin Schindler when I play him tomorrow because I’ve already been up there, had a practice, won a game and seen what the crowd is like. He’s not playing in his home country, so I should have no excuses.”
As alluded to, he hit back at the notion that he wasn't going to be playing at the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix and hasn't given up hope yet. “Why am I not going to be in Blackpool? When I win this one, that’s £35,000, and I only need maybe another £10,000 on top of that. There are plenty of tournaments in between. Yes, I chose not to go to two upcoming European Tour events, but I can make that up in the Players Championship events. So yes, I still will be at Blackpool, but I won’t be in the World Cup, and I shouldn’t be in the World Cup because I’m not playing well enough.”
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Peter Wright has not given up hope on Blackpool.
But while that frustration is there, it isn't stopping his practice and what he is trying to get out desperately, as well as the fact that he isn't part of the so-called darting elite anymore. "Definitely. It’s just taking time to come out. It’s annoying for my fans and annoying for myself.”
“I don’t feel more nerves. It gives you no excuse not to be prepared. Before, you were coming here straight from the Premier League or the World Series events, so you already had experience of playing the top seven players in the world because you were one of the eight.
“That’s the only thing I miss, playing against the best of the best. But I’m getting older and I’m enjoying the game more now than I used to. I’ve just got to concentrate on certain things, certain tournaments, and do well in them. This is one I’d like to win.”
World title prediction
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While he has left that upper echelon though, he said that it does have perks in having time off and not being on the road 24/7 anymore. “To be honest, I didn’t really do anything. I just enjoyed the time off and did things around the house, well, Jo gave me jobs around the house!
“But yeah, I just enjoyed life in general because when you’re a Premier League player, you don’t really get time to enjoy your family and friends because you’re always on the road trying to please the fans and improve as a darts player.”
But as ever he left the interview with a bold prediction and that being that he would be lifting the World title for a third time, beating Luke Littler in the final. "At the end of the year when I’m lifting the World Championship! Yeah, I’m going to win it. Hopefully, I play Luke Littler in the final. If not, Luke Humphries, because they’re the best two players in the world.”
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
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