Michael van Gerwen goes again at Peter Wright once more after declare darts star ‘won’t admit’
Michael van Gerwen fought back to win his first-round match at the World Darts Championship on Thursday with Peter Wright suggesting his eyesight might be failing
Michael van Gerwen has hit back at Peter Wright after he made a rather bizarre claim that his vision might be deteriorating. The Dutchmen boldly confirmed in response “there is nothing wrong with my eyes” following ‘Snakebite’s’ suggestion that his “vision is probably going.”
Such a reply was required by Van Gerwen after Wright had revealed, likely in jest, that Van Gerwen likely had bad eyesight in comparison to younger darts stars and if that was the case, he would not admit it.
The world number three escaped an early shock in his first round match against Japanese debutant Mitsuhiko Tatsunami at the World Darts Championship on Thursday evening.
‘The Green Machine’ rallied from a set behind to clinch a 3-1 triumph, preserving his remarkable 14-year streak of never falling at the first hurdle at Alexandra Palace. Following that, he was asked about Wright’s comments from earlier in the week. He had said: “I think their [younger players’] eyesight is better than ours. I think that’s about it.”
“Obviously Gary [Anderson] is on the glasses or contacts. I don’t know if Michael’s wearing contacts at the moment, but I think MVG’s vision is probably going – but he won’t admit it at the moment.” Upon learning of Wright’s comments, Van Gerwen replied: “There’s nothing wrong with my eyes. Don’t worry. I keep getting compliments.”
Van Gerwen is set to meet either William O’Connor from the Republic of Ireland or Poland’s Krzysztof Kciuk in round two, while Wright takes on German qualifier Arno Merk, who stunned Kim Huybrechts to advance.
Should both Van Gerwen and Wright triumph in their upcoming encounters, they’re set for a thrilling third-round showdown after Christmas.
“Years ago, I used to play Michael van Gerwen at his peak, he was like the GOAT. And it was a privilege to play him in so many finals,” Wright said.
“I’d bring an extra gear or two because you’ll need it against Michael. I want to play him. He’s got to win, I’ve got to win. I’d love that for the TV crowd. I want to beat him.”
The duo have clashed repeatedly over the years. Wright, presently sitting 30th in the global rankings and a two-time world champion, has previously labelled Van Gerwen “a big baby”, whilst Van Gerwen maintains that no one will “get in his head.”
Van Gerwen fired back: “I hope he has a big mouth like he had in the last two weeks because I keep smashing him in exhibitions.
“He made so many comments over the last so many years. To speak the name of Peter Wright is a waste of my breath.”
