JOE CULLEN says his passion for darts has dropped – and he fears it could impact his hopes of rediscovering his best form.
The world No32 won the Masters in 2022 and has got his hands on another two titles this year.
But Cullen has found himself falling out of love with the sport since his career began by qualifying for the 2008 UK Open.
And, ahead of facing Peter Wright in the evening session of the Players Championship Finals today, he has conceded that his diminishing drive does not bode well as he chases silverware.
Cullen, speaking to Darts News, said: “I don’t enjoy it like I used to. I used to look forward to tournaments.
“Now I mainly look forward to being with the lads. That’s not good if you want to reach the top.
“There are guys with less talent than me but who’ve got a hundred times more hunger. You feel that in matches. That’s when I struggle.
“[My hunger] is not gone. It’s more dormant. In the World Championship match against Wessel [Nijman], I suddenly felt it again.
“But you can’t force that every match, especially not on some random floor event in Leicester.
“I’ve got to find that middle ground. I used to be good on the floor and bad on TV, then it swapped. Now I need to get both back.”
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Cullen recently revealed that he has refused to overcomplicate things at the oche since getting some advice from Richie Burnett.
And that mindset allowed him to win two Players Championship events this year.
But Cullen, 36, has slammed his rivals on the tour circuit for being self-serving.
Although he was quick to admit that you need that cutthroat mentality to thrive in the world of darts.
Cullen added: “We’re all selfish in this sport. I want my mates to do well, but ultimately I think about myself — and so do they.”
