Peter Wright reveals he broke down in front of MVG and wailed 'I don’t know if I can do this any more'
Last standing Scot Peter Wright was in tears over the kind Ally Pally words of gentleman of Luke Humphries.
But the Scottish star has revealed the moment he also wept openly in front of concerned Michael van Gerwen wondering if his time at the top was over. Wright on Sunday night stunned the game with a vintage success to end Humphries’ reign as champ. It’s been a hard recent road and, as he’s struggled and slid down the rankings, there have been times of doubt. Wright revealed a crossroads moment backstage with van Gerwen when asked if he’d ever thought he was gone at the game.
He said: “Oh, yeah. I’ve sat in the Premier League the past two years getting battered by these guys and wondering why I’m here, why they picked me when I don’t seem to perform. It’s really strange and it’s annoying. Michael van Gerwen, I was in tears last year. He’s just said, 'You don’t want to do it any more, do you?’ I said, 'I don’t know’. Maybe I don’t, maybe I do. But I’m not going to give up. And that’s the main thing.”
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That desire and belief was displayed against Humphries. The world No.1 had a pre-match nip at Snakebite having taken exception to predictions made by the two-time king. But respectful Wright insists there was no ill-meaning and was emotional at the kind comments of Humphries on the stage following his storming success.
Wright explained the teary-reaction and said: “Yeah, just the words of Luke. You know, he’s such a gentleman. He’s a great, great guy. Away from darts, lovely family man, fantastic dart player. And he had some really kind words to say to me.
“What did I tell him? I said you’ve been a fantastic world champion. All the work you’ve done throughout this year, a fantastic job. And an awesome No.1 in the world. He’s put darts on the map. I know I can beat the likes of Luke and Luke Littler, but I also said those two guys inspire me to carry on and they do. Last year, that final [Humphries and Littler] inspired me to try different things to become better.”
Critics have consigned Wright to the scrapheap so often that he laughed: “Call me dusty bin!” But he shown he still has it and also talked through the pre-match comments that got under Humphries’ skin.
Cool Hand bit back after hearing the Scot say Raymond van Barneveled would smash him, but Wright explained: “The interviews, they’re all fun, aren’t they? It didn’t put my back up or nothing. He just replied to the questions and that was all.
“There was no animosity against Luke at all. I’ve never done mind games. Everyone’s got their own opinion who’s going to do well in this tournament. All I put it down to is Luke wasn’t quite on his form as he was last year. He was untouchable, you didn’t want to play Luke last year. If he turned up like Luke of last year, he would have bashed me off the board.
“This year he’s getting wins and getting through B games, I thought if he turns up 98, 99 [average], I’ve got a chance. Barney’s been playing really well. I thought Gary Anderson would be in the final, 80 odd percent would probably thought exactly the same. I thought he [Barney] would have a chance to beat Luke. That was all.”
Wright did it and he said: “I felt confident over the shorter distance, If I didn’t beat him in this round, he would have retained his title because I don’t think any other player would have got close to him over a longer distance. That was my only chance.”
Wright displayed old fire celebrating shots, but said: “I didn’t mean it against Luke. It was nothing to put him off. It was just crucial shots at crucial times.
“That was the best atmosphere. Crazy, mental. I was thinking: Poor Luke. Oh my God, I’m playing the reigning world champion and this crowd is behind me all the way.
“Maybe they like the underdog. I like being the underdog. I don’t like being the favourite. I like proving everyone wrong.”
Wright is eyeing a third title, but said: “You can’t overlook any player. There’s been a lot of shocks. Everyone can play, everyone can beat anybody. So you have to be careful, you can’t take anyone lightly.
“Whoever I play. I don’t care. I’ve always said this tournament is only three weeks long. That’s where you’ve got to play well. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done the rest of the year. I knew I had it in me still to compete against the best players in the world. I’m not ready to go to the senior side yet because I know I can still play this game.”
