(VIDEO) Wright defeats Cullen despite injury scare: 'I was in a lot of pain'

Peter Wright defeated Joe Cullen 10-6 Friday night at the 2022 UK Open, but it wasn’t smooth sailing by any means as his gallstone problems returned on the eve of the match.

Wright explains in an interview with Dartsnews how his preparation was hindered by the injury scare: ’It was difficult because I was in a lot of pain, before the match and up on stage as well. I was feeling fine until I came into the venue, but from then the pain just started. I sat down for an hour and a half.’

The situation comes at an unfortunate time for the world champion, who is in an intense battle for top spot on the PDC Order of Merit with rival Gerwyn Price. ‘Snakebite’, however, played down the added pressure: ‘It’s in the back of the mind, but it’s just about winning each game against whoever you’re drawn against. I don’t think it’s on Gerwyn’s mind at all. He had the pressure on him last week and beat me in the final. Hopefully I feel a lot better in the next couple of rounds, so that maybe we can stay away from each other and then battle for world number one in the final.'

While the injury was a source of frustration for Wright, there were things to be happy about, he adds: ’It’s great having the crowd back. They are loving the darts. I missed the feeling of being the world champion on tour. Two years ago it wasn’t very nice’, the Scot references the absence of a crowd in his maiden world champion year. ‘But now I’m getting what I deserve, what I should have had two years ago.’