PDC World Darts Championship: Peter Wright revels in underdog status
- Published
Peter Wright has not played competitive darts for a month
Scotland's Peter Wright is happy there is no pressure on him at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship because his "rubbish" 2023 means he is not viewed as a key contender for the title.
The 53-year-old is a two-time winner of the sport's biggest prize.
But his European Championship victory in October was his first televised ranking title for almost two years.
"No-one expects me to play well because I haven't played well most of the year - it's been on and off," he said.
"I played well in the Nordic Masters, I played well at the European Championships, that is about it. That was my own fault because I didn't play the Players Championships and stuff like that.
"The reason I have had a rubbish year is because I took time off and have not been playing competitive darts all the time so I am not in that zone. That is the only reason.
"When I have tried to come back to a tournament, I am not actually match-ready in terms of focus compared to if I was playing in them all."
The World Championship in London will represent his first tournament outing for a month.
However, Wright insists he will be ready when he takes to the oche against Jim Williams of Wales on Wednesday night.
"It is a different sort of practice for the Worlds, it is totally different," he said.
"I am ready. You don't want to peak too soon. You have just got to do enough in the first couple of rounds and get yourself into the tournament after Christmas then peak at the right time."
Wright's relatively modest form means his name is not near the list of prime contenders to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy this time.
The likes of in-form Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and defending champion Michael Smith are among those more heavily favoured.
But Wright is happy to fly under the radar at Alexandra Palace and is banking on his experience to help him to a third world title.
"It's good because it takes the pressure off me, everyone is talking about them to win it so I will let everyone talk about them," he added.
"Don't write me off because I am going to be there right at the end. There is no reason why I can't win. I know how to win it, I know what you have got to do.
"There are a lot of players who haven't won it and are still trying to find how to win it and what to do at the right time."
Twelve things you might not know about Disney: How did the media giant go from a young animator’s dream to a cultural kingdom?
'A new generation of remarkable people': Sir David Attenborough introduces conservation heroes fighting to save the world's wildlife
