It was pointed out to me recently that, during my earlier playing career, I was a very strong performer in the last quarter of the year heading into the winter. Was it deliberate and did I do anything differently?
Looking back it’s true, I did have a lot of success in that latter part of the year but in honesty, it was the opposite of what you may think. I probably applied myself a little better during that period if the truth is told. Now that may not be correct as you should have a year-round application, but at that time of the year with the Grand Slam and especially the Worlds it is a little different.
The World Championship is life-changing, everyone in our business knows that a good run at Alexandra Palace can change your ranking and your career. It can open up so many doors for you, that might be why, consciously or not, I applied myself that bit more.
Today’s players know it as well, they feel the nerves that bit more and, to be fair, so they should. It’s a massive event these days and it should bring out the best in them, but it can bring out all the fear and edginess as well.
You cannot really prepare for it. There is nothing like the World stage, you just have to go in there as equipped as you can be and as well prepared, and then hope it’s enough to deal with the challenge of playing in the World Championship!
I have predicted Gerwyn Price to go all the way in both the World Matchplay and then at The Grand Slam of Darts. Almost immediately he was defeated, perhaps it will be third time lucky. Surely it’s between him and Michael?
I must congratulate Darts World on reaching its 50th anniversary. The magazine was pointed out to me when I started playing county darts and later I managed to get on the cover, firstly for winning the World Cup singles and then with Anastasia for winning our 2008 World titles. But I am fond of the 6 man Welsh squad front from later the same year. We look great except for me being the scruffy one with an unbuttoned collar…
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Mark Webster is the 2008 WDF World Champion and twice finished in 3rd place at the PDC World Championship. He is supported by Winmau and Monarch Water.
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