Peter Wright has been practicing with a dartboard out on his balcony while holidaying in Gibraltar in a bid to prepare himself for the stifling conditions at the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters which start on Wednesday.
The fifth edition of the tournament takes place, as always, at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, with Englishman Wright starting his campaign for a maiden title against in-form Dave Chisnall in the quarter-finals.
Wright reached the final of the tournament in its second edition in 2014, losing 11-7 to Dutchman Michael van Gerwen, but suffered a far more agonising loss to Mighty Mike recently, going down 11-10 in the 2017 Premier League Darts final last Thursday after wasting five darts at double eight leading 10-9.
Van Gerwen pounced to level the match and then won the decider to lift his third crown.
Despite such a venomous defeat, the man nicknamed ‘Snakebite’ insists he is not carrying the weight of that painful defeat into Dubai.
“That’s all gone, done and dusted,” said the 47-year-old who bounced back two days later to win the Players Championship 11 in Milton Keynes.
“I went and won a floor tournament on the Saturday with a 120 average. I hit loads of double eights and double 16s. I don’t want none of that doubt out there. So let’s get on with it and lift this trophy.”
Wright is renowned for his outlandish attire and dyed hair on stage and he admits his colourful personality also helps him cope with disappointment.
“I’ve learnt years ago how to deal with games,” he added.
“I made mistakes in the final, that leg. I should have forgotten about it and I normally do. Next leg, next shot. That’s how I deal with stuff.
“But I went and won the next tournament so I’m not feeling the need to bounce back. I won that tournament and I’m on an upward curve again. I’m in a little bit of form, not playing too bad. I feel really good and I believe I can win.”
The Darts Masters is a unique event as it is played outdoors at the DDF Tennis Stadium’s Irish Village. And with the weather starting to ramp up as summer rapidly approaches, Wright revealed he has been preparing for the UAE desert’s temperatures.
“Preparations are I took a board, or part of a board out on a balcony with me in Gibraltar, and I was practicing outside, so I’ve had a bit of practice,” revealed the Scotsman.
“My balcony form was alright. I hit a couple of trebles, so I feel alright.”
After getting to the final three years ago, Wright also believes his previous Dubai experience can boost his chances of victory this year.
“I’ve got to a final before so I know how to deal with the heat,” he added.
“I hope that gives me an advantage. I’m playing Chizzy who’s one of the hardest players to play at the moment because he’s in good form so it’s going to be a cracking game.
“Once you get used to the heat of playing two games in the same night, I’ve done that, so I’ve definitely got an advantage. With the heat form goes out the window and it’s all about how you react to it as a player.”
