Darts
2024 World Grand Prix Darts: “I’m One of the Big Guns,” says Martin Schindler
Martin Schindler dominates Brenden Dolan at the World Grand Prix, aiming for bigger titles and global success.
Germany’s top darts player, Martin Schindler, stormed into the World Grand Prix on fire after clinching his second European Tour title of the season in Switzerland.
Red-Hot Form and a Dominant Start
Facing off against Brendan Dolan, the ‘History Maker’ known for the first-ever televised ‘double in’ nine-darter back in 2011, Schindler wasted no time in asserting his dominance. The German ace swept Dolan aside in the first set, not even giving the Northern Irishman a chance at a double, sealing the set 3-0.
The second set saw Schindler wobble, missing three match darts and giving Dolan a flicker of hope. But Schindler swiftly regrouped, clinching the win with a sharp 49 checkout in the deciding leg, booking his spot in the next round.
Standing Among the Elite
When asked about his confidence as a two-time European Tour champion, Schindler kept it cool: “I'm going to say it like this. I'm not feeling bad, I'm feeling all right, I'm feeling good.”
Schindler made it clear he now considers himself among the elite in darts, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries.
“I think at this point now for me, I realised winning the second European tour, now it means I'm one of the ‘big guns’ right now as well and I need to be sure of this fact,” Schindler said.
He continued, “Winning one European Tour is maybe a good day, but winning two of them, this is quality. I'm very proud of myself to have done that and still remembering both of these moments brings me to tears a little bit."
“If I compare this to two years ago, I never really thought about winning a title, never mind two."
Image credit: PDC
Grounded but Ready to Beat ‘Anyone’
Despite his success, Schindler remains grounded but confident, knowing he has what it takes to beat anyone on tour.
“I'm not the person who is forgetting where he's coming from if you know what it means. I'm trying to progress with my way and I feel good, and I feel I have the game to beat literally anyone.”
“Last year I reached the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix—why can’t I go further"
“There’s no guarantee in any game you play, but I know I have the possibility to beat anybody. I have the game to beat Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, or Luke Littler—it doesn’t matter who is next.”
Bigger Goals than Just Germany’s Best
As for his status as Germany’s number one, Schindler brushed it off, saying his ambitions are much bigger.
“It’s all about the order of merit for me, not to be Germany’s number one. Gabriel [Clemens] is a good mate of mine, and I don’t like to just compare myself to him. My goal is to be world number one, we can talk again then,” he concluded.
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