Michael van Gerwen has hit out at Peter Wright’s claim that Callan Rydz should be the favourite for the PDC World Darts Championship amid his stunning form thus far
Michael van Gerwen has responded to Peter Wright’s “nonsense” claim ahead of his quarter-final clash with Callan Rydz.
Van Gerwen beat Jeffrey de Graaf 4-2 in the fourth round to set up a match with Rydz for a spot in the final four. The three-time world champion is the highest ranked seed left in the PDC World Championship, but Wright has claimed that Rydz should be the “favourite” to win the tournament over names like Van Gerwen and Luke Littler.
“I want to play like Callan Rydz,” Wright said ahead of his quarter-final match against Stephen Bunting. “He’s just going up there enjoying himself and playing fantastic darts. He should be favourite for this tournament. He’s playing superb darts and long may it carry on.”
However, when asked about Wright’s comments, Van Gerwen labelled them “crap”. He said: “Every year at the World’s, he talks so much nonsense. He’s always allowed to talk crap. No one takes him serious on the tour as well because he’s not allowed an opinion at home as well.”
However, Van Gerwen is not looking past Rydz at all, even if he is feeling incredibly confident in his own game. “Don’t underestimate Callan Rydz,” the Dutchman added when asked about the upcoming match.
“He has the highest tournament average so far so you can’t underestimate him but that’s something to worry about in two days time. I feel good, I feel comfortable and I think from this position anything is possible.”
Rydz, meanwhile, suggested Wright’s comments about him were an attempt at mind games and instead hailed the 54-year-old’s performance as he knocked out reigning champion Luke Humphries.
When asked about Wright’s claim, Rydz replied: “He loves a mind game, doesn’t he? But listen, Peter, fair play to him for last night. I watched the game and absolutely fair play to him, after the year he’s had. I’ve had a bad two years and this tournament has been a breath of fresh air for me.
“He’s a lovely lad, Peter, I’ve got a lot of time for him. They were nice words but I’m not thinking about that. You’ve got to take it one game at a time, whether I’m playing Michael or Jeffrey, I’ll be up for it. I’ll be back on the practice board tomorrow and that’s the main thing.”