PETER WRIGHT has vowed he’s not “finished” or ready for the darts retirement home.
The two-time World Champion is beginning to find his form again ahead of his World Grand Prix opener against James Wade in Leicester on Tuesday.
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Wright, 54, had been written off by fans and pundits after slumping to a second successive Premier League wooden spoon.
But he’s come out fighting and vows he’s not ready for the World Seniors tour yet.
On the criticism, the darts legend admitted: “It’s understandable when you’ve seen some of the averages that I’ve hit. Then getting punished by players that I believe I should beat.
“But that’s my fault because I haven’t been on form and I haven’t been confident.
“No I haven’t finished at all. I said I’d be winning tournaments and majors by the end of this year. I’ve just got to back that up and start playing with a lots of 100 averages. That’s what you need to do.
“Sometimes because of your age you have that slight thought in your head that says ‘is it time to maybe move on to the World Seniors?’
“Then I think, no, I’m not finished with these guys yet. I enjoy playing against them. If I can start playing my game, maybe not in every tournament, but if I can upset them now and again and pick up a title, I’ll be happy.
“That’s what I’ve always done in my career. I’ve never been that consistent player who is dominating everything.
“But when I put my mind to stuff eventually it comes out that I will win.”
Wright beat Luke Littler to win his first title of the year at the German Championship – despite surviving on one bit of toast all day!
He added: “It’s the travelling that does get to you and being at a venue all day. I only had one slice of toast all day on the Sunday before winning in Hildesheim.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God I’m absolutely shattered’. But as soon as I got home I was back on the dartboard.
“Luke’s brilliant for the game. He’s transported us all round the globe on different TV shows. That’s down to him.
“And now other youngsters are going to come through and following him.
“But at 17 you don’t give a monkey’s about the old people. When I was at that age, I was like bring it on, I want to play the best players in the world and smash them. That’s the mindset that Luke has got.”
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