‘He talks nonsense’ – Michael van Gerwen fumes at Peter Wright in incredible rant over prediction
Michael Van Gerwen has lashed out at Peter Wright for claiming Callan Rydz was favourite to win the PDC World Championship. Wright has impressed at the tournament so far at the oche, producing a sensational display to take out world No.1 Luke Humphries and move into the quarter finals. PDCVan Gerwen has not been left too impressed with Wright’s comments[/caption] But prior to their meeting, Wright had agitated Humphries with pre-match comments, although they later reconciled in an emotional chat after their epic match-up. Despite his victory, the Scotsman dismissed himself or Van Gerwen as ‘favourites’ to win the tournament, instead naming 27-year-old Rydz as the man to beat at Ally Pally. He said: “I want to play like Callan Rydz. 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.” Van Gerwen will next meet Rydz in the quarter final, with the Englishman a serious threat having produced several three-dart averages over 100 at this year’s tournament. But Wright’s comments have left a sour taste in the mouth of ‘MVG’, who has hit out at Wright in a surprising rant at his post-match press conference after beating Jeffrey De Graaf last night. He said: “I just heard another guy saying that, yeah,’ Van Gerwen said. “Every year at the worlds he talks so much nonsense, you know what I mean? “He is always allowed to talk c***, no-one takes him seriously on the tour because he’s not allowed an opinion at home as well. “Do you know what I mean? Of course, don’t underestimate Callan Rydz. PDCWright believes Rydz is favourite and is eyeing a showdown with him in the final[/caption] “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 has the highest average on tour so far, but will need to be at his arrow-throwing best to take out Van Gerwen. The ‘Green Machine’ looked to be cruising against De Graaf in his Round of 16 clash, but was pinned back and dropped two sets. But he once again showed his resilience to capitalise and prevent another giant-killing from his Swedish rival. Rydz himself has impressed on his run, and will be a real live wire after beating Robert Owen himself. GettyRydz has averaged the highest at the tournament and is a real dark horse[/caption] Although ‘The Riot’ was also bemused by Wright labelling him with the favourite tag, insisting it was mind games. He added: “He loves a mind game, doesn’t he? But listen, Peter, fair play to him for last night [Humphries] victory. “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. I’ll be back on the practice board tomorrow and that’s the main thing.” Tune into talkSPORT 2 for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via our web player, app, on DAB, or through your smart speaker.
Michael Van Gerwen has lashed out at Peter Wright for claiming Callan Rydz was favourite to win the PDC World Championship.
Wright has impressed at the tournament so far at the oche, producing a sensational display to take out world No.1 Luke Humphries and move into the quarter finals.
But prior to their meeting, Wright had agitated Humphries with pre-match comments, although they later reconciled in an emotional chat after their epic match-up.
Despite his victory, the Scotsman dismissed himself or Van Gerwen as ‘favourites’ to win the tournament, instead naming 27-year-old Rydz as the man to beat at Ally Pally.
He said: “I want to play like Callan Rydz. 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.”
Van Gerwen will next meet Rydz in the quarter final, with the Englishman a serious threat having produced several three-dart averages over 100 at this year’s tournament.
But Wright’s comments have left a sour taste in the mouth of ‘MVG’, who has hit out at Wright in a surprising rant at his post-match press conference after beating Jeffrey De Graaf last night.
He said: “I just heard another guy saying that, yeah,’ Van Gerwen said.
“Every year at the worlds he talks so much nonsense, you know what I mean?
“He is always allowed to talk c***, no-one takes him seriously on the tour because he’s not allowed an opinion at home as well.
“Do you know what I mean? Of course, don’t underestimate Callan Rydz.
“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 has the highest average on tour so far, but will need to be at his arrow-throwing best to take out Van Gerwen.
The ‘Green Machine’ looked to be cruising against De Graaf in his Round of 16 clash, but was pinned back and dropped two sets.
But he once again showed his resilience to capitalise and prevent another giant-killing from his Swedish rival.
Rydz himself has impressed on his run, and will be a real live wire after beating Robert Owen himself.
Although ‘The Riot’ was also bemused by Wright labelling him with the favourite tag, insisting it was mind games.
He added: “He loves a mind game, doesn’t he? But listen, Peter, fair play to him for last night [Humphries] victory.
“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. I’ll be back on the practice board tomorrow and that’s the main thing.”
Tune into talkSPORT 2 for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via our web player, app, on DAB, or through your smart speaker.
