James Wade denkt dat het dartslandschap opener is dan ooit, hij zegt dit voorafgaand aan zijn veertiende Grand Slam of Darts, dat hij volgende week speelt.
Wade zei recentelijk nog dat hij vond dat het niveau in de dartssport niet zo hoog is als toen Phil Taylor en Michael van Gerwen op hun best waren, zo'n vijf jaar geleden.
De man die al het langst in de top 16 staat van de huidige spelers gelooft dat dit wordt bevestigd door het aantal verschillende winnaars op TV in 2019 en met name in 2020.
WADE: “It's really open at the moment. The standard isn't what it was - it's definitely a better standard throughout, the lower end of the standard is definitely higher, but the top ten or 12 is quite a long way off.
Some people who have won titles, I don't think those players would have won under normal circumstances, but that's my opinion.
I honestly don't think some of the tournaments that have been won this year would have been won by those players under normal circumstances in a room full of a crowd that's putting pressure on people. They do affect results; everyone always forgets the crowd does enable people to win and lose at times.
Michael van Gerwen is without a doubt the second best player that's ever walked the planet, but the crowd have helped him and disabled some other players during games.
When you're trying to go for a double to beat someone like Michael, some of the players collapse when the crowd shout at them. That does play a part in some of the big games.
I think it's easier with a crowd if I'm honest. I also find that with a lot of the top players, the ones that jump about and bounce off the crowd, I believe they're struggling because they haven't got that to bounce off and I think that does make a difference for some players.”
Wade legt geen verwachtingen op zichzelf voor de Grand Slam of Darts van volgende week, maar blijft wel zelfvertrouwen houden om titels toe te voegen aan zijn, nu al, indrukwekkende prijzenkast.
De 37-jarige Engelsman behoudt zijn record van altijd aanwezige op de Grand Slam of Darts sinds de eerste editie van het toernooi in 2007. Hij was de runner-up in 2010 en 2016.
WADE: “I'm feeling quite good about myself, so we'll see what happens. I don't like building myself up for a great fall.
I never don't think I can win a major, I always do. It depends on what head I've got on that week at that time.
If I'm interested, there's no reason why I can't win majors. I know I'll win more, how many I don't know.
I've proved it before and I'll prove it again many times I'm sure. I'm confident in my game, I'm even more confident when I've got the right mindset at the beginning of a week.
I'm enjoying it a bit more at the moment. Perhaps I had a little bit of a nudge to realise that I'm still lucky to be able to do my job.
We’re lucky to be playing and some people aren't fortunate at the moment in this climate to do their job and earn a living. We are the fortunate ones.”
BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts 2020
Programma
Maandag 16 november
Middagsessie (14.00)
8x Groepswedstrijd
Avondsessie (20.00)
8x Groepswedstrijd
Dinsdag 17 november
Middagsessie (14.00)
8x Groepswedstrijd
Avondsessie (20.00)
8x Groepswedstrijd
Woensdag 18 november (16.00)
8x Groepswedstrijd
Donderdag 19 november (20.00)
8x Groepswedstrijd
Vrijdag 20 november (20.00)
4x Laatste 16
Zaterdag 21 november (20.00)
4x Laatste 16
Zondag 22 november
Middagsessie (14.00)
2x Kwartfinale
Avondsessie (20.00)
2x Kwartfinale
Maandag 23 november (20.00)
2x Halve finale
Dinsdag 24 november (19.00)
Finale
© Foto: Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)