Mensur Suljovic is eliminated from the Darts World Championship by Luke Littler. The Austrian pays great respect to the world champion – and once again takes a swipe at Joe Cullen.
After his clear 0:4 defeat against defending champion Luke Littler, Mensur Suljovic expressed words of praise for the just 18-year-old Englishman – and could not resist another jab at Joe Cullen.
Littler is “a man who doesn’t complain. He plays his game, wins the game and says: ‘Thank you, goodbye’. That’s how it should be and – sorry,” Suljovic interrupted himself in an interview with SPORT1 and chuckled. Presenter Katharina Kleinfeldt and TV expert Max Hopp also had to grin a little: “You mean Joe Cullen,” Hopp said and received an ironic reply from the Austrian: “Never.”
Mensur Suljovic lashed out at Joe Cullen again
Suljovic’s words of praise for Littler
It quickly became clear that Cullen’s accusation of cheating was still on Suljovic’s mind. Cullen had failed against the Austrian in the 2nd round of the Darts World Championship and subsequently accused him of having negatively influenced his game through provocative long celebrations and a slow throwing rhythm.
As Suljovic explained on Saturday evening, Luke Littler, on the other hand, did not complain about his behavior. Rather, Suljovic praised the 18-year-old’s demeanor. “Many should take him as an example. He not only plays well on the board, he’s also good privately. Huge respect. We also have to be good privately, honestly. Darts is one thing, but being good privately (with each other; editor’s note ) too.”
Cullen’s accusations: “That’s crazy, I don’t like that”
Suljovic looked at Max Hopp and continued. “I’ve known Max for 15 or 16 years, we’ve always been on the road and thank God we’re still at it. That’s the nice thing. But don’t complain – that’s madness, I don’t like that. We have to look forward, tomorrow is another day and another game.”
Joe Cullen’s harsh criticism, which the Englishman had reiterated a few days after his elimination in an interview with the English local newspaper Telegraph and Argus from his hometown Bradford, had “already affected” Suljovic.
Suljovic irritated by Cullen: “What is he complaining about?”
The Austrian was clear: “I was in the top 16 and never talked much. And he (Cullen; editor’s note ) is somewhere and complains. What is he complaining about? Play better and then you’ll be in the top eight – and then you can talk. You don’t need to talk behind people’s backs.”
Suljovic found support from Max Hopp, who, after his World Championship exit, is back in his role as a SPORT1 expert: “I think those are great words from you. It just shows again why your nickname is ‘The Gentle’ and that you find such great words.”
Even before the third-round match against Littler, Suljovic had revealed that he had “no more contact” with Cullen since their encounter. “It’s just a game, okay, a World Championship, but it’s not about life or death. He overreacted. I didn’t even provoke him intentionally. That’s my game. I didn’t play slower because of him.”
While Suljovic has been eliminated from the World Championship, the tournament continues for superstar Littler. The Englishman will face either Rob Cross or Damon Heta in the round of 16.