Martin Schindler is the best -placed German darts player in history after his tournament victory at the Austrian Darts Open at the weekend. Sport1 expert Robert Marijanovic explains the 28-year-old’s secret of success.
At the end of his milestone, Martin Schindler fought tears – with pride in his performance and perhaps also a surprise about himself. The 28 -year -old won the Austrian Darts Open in Graz on Sunday evening. His third victory on the European Tour, his fourth tournament success at a PDC event. It was a special coup in many ways, as Sport1 expert Robert Marijanovic found.
“It has been noticed by his reaction that it is still not a matter of course for Martin to win such a title, even if it is already his fourth on the PDC tour,” said Marijanovic at Sport1 : “That takes him extremely. Maybe it is also because he had to contest many difficult matches on the way – a player falls all the more last from the shoulders”.
Martin Schindler won the Austrian Darts Open in Graz
In Austria, Schindler initially fought his way into the final with victories over Matthew Dennant, Kevin Doets, Chris Dobey and Josh Rock in a dramatic semi-finals (7: 6 after 4: 6 deficit). In the final of the Austrian Open, he finally won 8: 4 against the Englishman Ross Smith and collected around 35,000 euros in prize money.
A triumph that even accepted historical dimensions for darts sport in Germany.
“An important step, but not the last one”
Because of his success, the native of Strausberger climbed to 18th place in the world rankings, the Order of Merit – so highly a German.
Schindler has now arrived – as a “dart player and as a person,” said Marijanovic. “A lot has happened around him. He has become a father, he got married, he moved, from his homeland Brandenburg to Hesse. I think he has grown up in many ways. And if you are private with you, it also helps a lot.”
So far, Gabriel Clemens had been the best placement with 19th place. For Schindler, however, this should not yet be the end of the career ladder.
“The clear goal is of course the top 16, which he will probably achieve. If it continues for him now, he could even be in ten at the World Cup. That would be an important step, but not yet the last,” continued Marijanovic.
Where for Schindler, who has been looking for its shape again and again in recent years, can still go there in the future? “We saw this and last year that a lot is possible,” said Marijanovic and added hopefully: “I would not rule out the top eight. I would say regardless of the ranking placement: Next goal-a major title!”
World Cup? “From the skill, the final would definitely be in it”
Marijanovic in principle also trusts such a coup: “To get into the semi -finals at a World Cup is brutally difficult – if only because of the length of the tournament,” he said. “You are there until the previous day, so much happens, there are so many good opponents, so many games.”
“Martin can definitely do it in any case. Whether all other factors like the game of the game play along is another question. But the skill would definitely be in it,” says Marijanovic.