Peter Wright has strangely claimed darts rival Michael van Gerwen is losing his eyesight. Wright, 55, has his sights set on a third PDC World Championship victory at Alexandra Palace.
The Scot began his campaign with a straight-sets victory over transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven in his first round clash. After his victory over the Dutch star, Wright publicly said he is convinced Van Gerwen’s eyesight is on the wane. Van Gerwen will have to come to terms with this thought before he starts his World Championship campaign against Mitsuhiko Tatsunami of Japan. It’s something the Green Machine may have in his mind as he makes his walk to the oche.
When asked what the younger darts stars coming through have over the old guard, Wright said: “I think their eyesight is better than ours. I think that’s about it.
“Obviously Gary’s 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.”
After he made the comment, Wright gave a subtle but telling smirk, which may suggest his comment was an attempt at mind games on a rival who is one of the main contenders at Alexandra Palace. Wright, who is No. 30 on the PDC Order of Merit, did something similar last year before he faced Luke Humphries in the fourth round.
Before the contest, he said he believes he can “still compete” with Luke Littler and Humphries and “actually be better than them” prompting the latter to reply: “I’m one world title away from almost matching his career and I’m about 25 years younger.”
Despite previously calling Van Gerwen “a big baby” in the past, Wright has nothing but respect for the three-time world champion. Snakebite added: “Years ago, I used to play Michael van Gerwen at his peak, he was like the GOAT. It was a privilege to play him in so many finals.
“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.”
Wright also still believes he can win the whole tournament, even if he has to be uneasy on the eye to do so. He confidently said: “I know I’m going to win it. I might win it in a horrible, scrappy, nasty way, missing doubles and stuff like that.
“I might win it in a lucky way and people say, ‘You’re the luckiest 2026 world champion.’ So what? I’ll take it. One million pounds — thank you.”
