PETER WRIGHT has been urged by Michael van Gerwen to retire from professional darts.
Snakebite, 55, will spend Christmas Day with his family without the need to worry about getting ready for the third round of the PDC World Darts Championship.
His involvement in the competition was curtailed on the afternoon of December 23 by German amateur Arno Merk, who unexpectedly won 3-0.
The two-time world champion produced his worst-ever display in that room, averaging just 79.20 and winning just two legs.
Wright, who changed his darts mid-match as he searched for some inspiration, has been on the slide for a while now.
And there was little sympathy from his nemesis Van Gerwen, the man with whom he has contested TEN PDC major TV finals, including twice at world level.
The pair could have met in the third round on Sunday night had Wright not chucked the proverbial bag of spanners at the board.
Asked if he was surprised by Wright’s lacklustre performance, Van Gerwen, 36, said: “You want me to answer this? I can answer this really easily.
“No, I’m not really surprised by his performance because he’s been playing c*** lately.
“And I think it’s time for him to retire anyway.”
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
The harsh words are the latest in a series of jabs directed between the two legendary throwers.
Wright fired the first shots at the Worlds last week when he suggested that MVG could be losing his vision.
When asked about the growing dominance of the younger generation in the sport, he said: “I think their eyesight’s better than ours — 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.”
The fuming Dutchman was none too pleased with the comments, and rubbished the rumours, and Wright himself, in a press conference days later.
When asked about his eyesight on Thursday after his win over Mitsuhiko Tatsunami, he said: “There’s nothing wrong with my eyes. Don’t worry.”
World Darts Championship 2025/26 – all the info
LUK OUT!
He would then follow up with a series of digs aimed at Wright when asked about the prospect of them facing each other in a later round.
MVG added: “We had so many comments over the last so many years. I think to speak the name of Peter Wright is a waste of my breath.
“Come on, guys. He can’t even win a raffle these days anymore.
“I’d love to play Peter Wright. I hope he has a big mouth like he had the last two weeks, because I keep smashing him in exhibitions.”
