This Week In Darts – 8th Of March 2024

TOURNAMENT INSIGHTS

Mensur Suljovic has proved to be a rather resounding surprise in the fourth round of the UK Open. The 51-year-old Austrian topped Michael van Gerwen 10-7 and now prepares to square off with David Chisnall.

“Michael van Gerwen is the best player in the world at the moment,” Suljovic said after the match. “This is a brilliant feeling for me. I had some family problems last year, but this year I am practising every day, and I hope I can have a good tournament.”

In recent months, Suljovic had dropped in the world rankings to 56th. “But I’m back, the real Mensur is back,” he says. “I’ve been training every day for the last few months and feel it’s still in there to reach my best level.”

“I want to compete on the Pro Tour for at least two more years,” he continued. “Although I will not stop even after that, domestically I will continue until I drop.”

Given his undeniable determination, fans are certain to be watching Suljovic with great interest throughout the rest of the year.

MARKET MOVES

Pro darters Michael van Gerwen and Jamie Caven have made headlines with their latest endorsements.

First up, Darts Triple World Champion Michael van Gerwen has been announced as the newest ambassador of the Kempinski luxury hotel chain.

The 34-year- old Dutch world-class has been part of the Dart’s elite around the globe since the age of 13 and won the World Masters as the youngest player ever at the age of 17.

“Since my early age, I have been fascinated by this game, which is easy to play, but extremely difficult to master on a professional level,” van Gerwen states. “Focus on the performance is key to each throw, and mental effort is even higher than physical effort. Only through intense and constant mental training am I able to stay calm and balance my tension, which brought me to where I am today.”

“It gives us great pride to be partnering with Michael van Gerwen as our new brand ambassador”, states René Nijhof, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Kempinski Hotels S.A. “Kempinski stands for focus on beautiful performances, precision in quality and service, craftsmanship, as well as its commitment to being best in class in every aspect of hospitality – values we definitely share with Michael.

In related news, Jamie Caven has once again returned to Unicorn Darts.

In the past, ‘Jabba’ had worked with the well-known darts manufacturer before his partnership came to an end in 2019. Following a brief stint with XQ Max Darts, Caven has been increasingly sporadic in action on the PDC circuit. His last official tournaments were ten Challenge Tours in 2022.

At Unicorn Darts, Caven will now act as both a talent mentor and brand ambassador. He will also be closely involved in contracting new talent for the team.

PLAYER PERSPECTIVES

Gerwyn Price has shockingly withdrawn from Players Championship 1, blaming “less than amateur conditions” in Wigan for his decision.

The Welshman dropped out of his last-16 match with Brendan Dolan, who was 4-2 ahead in a race to six legs. However, Price left and without specifying reasons wrote on social media: “Absolutely pathetic conditions.”

He had also posted: “Travel all the way to Wigan to play in a professional game and we have to play in less than amateur conditions.”

“Never have I ever given a game up. Well, that’s me out of tomorrow as well.”

“Gutted because my game was really good today and I rely on these events so much.”

The 38-year-old, who apparently left the venue because it was cold, averaged 110 in his triumph over Dennant at Robin Park Tennis Centre before moving on to face Dolan.

To say that Gerwyn Price’s unexpected withdrawal from the tournament has shaken up the darts landscape would in fact be quite an understatement.

TOURNAMENT TRAIL

Damon Heta has managed to kill two proverbial birds with a single stone at the UK Open this week. He reached the semifinals of a ranking major for the first time, also making his debut in the top-10 of the world rankings.

Heta won over Simon Whitlock, Nathan Aspinall, Gian van Veen and Luke Littler before losing 11-6 to Dimitri van den Bergh in the last four.

“Happy with the grit I showed leading up to the semi but ran out of steam in the end,” Heta wrote.

Despite the loss, Heta was also enormously happy with his own milestones achieved. ”Also stoked to make my first semifinal at a ranking major and I’m now ninth in the world rankings. Not too bad for a roofer from Perth,” the 36-year-old Australian said.

And we’re inclined to agree!