Mensur Suljovic praises the German darts scene and criticizes the circumstances as an Austrian player.
Mensur Suljovic is still the only German-speaking darts professional who has triumphed at a major PDC tournament. In 2017, he won the Champions League of Darts. As an Austrian, he could well imagine a Darts World Championship on German soil.
In an interview with Laola1 , the darts professional said in response to the question of which venue he would like for the World Championship, outside of England: “Germany. There is huge potential there. They have really done a lot for darts. You have to admit that. Germany would be a good place for the World Cup.”
Mensur Suljovic is still fighting for his 17th World Championship appearance
“Existence in Danger”
Overall, however, he hopes that the Darts World Championship will remain in England. After there had recently been rumors about moving the tournament to Saudi Arabia, the Austrian explained: “I have nothing against it. But traditionally it would be in England, maybe in a bigger hall.”
“Unfortunately, the problem for us is usually with the sponsors. We have many good darts players, but they don’t dare to take this path. It’s a huge step, darts is work – there’s nothing else. And if you don’t play well, unfortunately your existence is in danger. That’s the problem for many,” explained the 53-year-old.
“Don’t See Darts as a Real Sport”
This financial pressure has also affected him in the past. I myself have most of the sponsors from Germany. “Now, thank God, I have one from Austria, from Burgenland. But unfortunately, they still don’t see darts as a real sport like soccer, basketball or boxing.”
Suljovic is still fighting for his World Championship participation, but he has no hope of a major coup. “Littler, Humphries, Price, van Gerwen – those four” are his big favorites. “And if there is a fifth, then I’ll take Jonny Clayton.”
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