Following back-to-back first round exits at the Betfred World Matchplay, Martin Schindler is targeting a maiden victory on the Winter Gardens stage in 2024, and he heads back to Blackpool as a far more formidable proposition.
Schindler will return to the Empress Ballroom as Germany’s number one and a PDC ranking event winner, and he’s in confident mood ahead of his clash against 2020 champion Dimitri Van den Bergh on Sunday afternoon.
“I’ve played in Blackpool a couple of times now and I’ve never won my first game there, so that is my target,” outlined Schindler, who succumbed 10-8 to Gerwyn Price and Danny Noppert in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
“Obviously Dimitri is a major champion [UK Open] this year, so he’s not a player to be underestimated.
“I could have drawn Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen or Michael Smith, so it could have been even tougher, but Dimitri is still a top-class player.”
Schindler has been touted as a player with considerable promise for much of the last decade, although he’s elevated his game to another level since joining the winner’s circle in April.
The 27-year-old broke new ground at the International Darts Open in Riesa, defeating Gerwyn Price in a thrilling final to become only the third German player to win a PDC ranking title.
“It was an overwhelming feeling to win that title in Riesa,” revealed Schindler, who also overcame the likes of Joe Cullen, Danny Noppert and Chris Dobey on his way to glory.
“I cannot describe that moment in words. Over the last seven years I’ve probably played in 200-250 tournaments, but I’d never really got in the position where I could win a title.
“I’m representing 80 million people in Germany, so to win that title and become the new number one in this sport is obviously a great feeling.”
Schindler’s International Darts Open victory capped off a remarkable turnaround for a player who had relinquished his PDC Tour Card less than four years ago.
The Strausberg-born star identifies that moment as a turning point in his career, and since regaining his place on the professional circuit in February 2021, he’s gone from strength to strength.
“My game has risen consistently over the last couple of years,” continued Schindler - currently ranked 23rd on the PDC Order of Merit.
“I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to get to this position. Even when I’m not travelling to tournaments, I am putting in a lot of practice now.
“When I first came on to the circuit in 2017/18 I had a really good season, but then I got a little bit lazy, and losing my Tour Card was an important warning for me.
“This made me think about myself and my game, how I want to progress, and how I want to behave.
“I’ve been working really hard in the last few years, and now I am getting my reward.”
The next step for Schindler is transferring these performances to the sport’s biggest stages, with quarter-final appearances at the World Grand Prix and UK Open representing his best results in TV ranking events.
“I believe I will be a major champion, but I don’t really want to put myself under pressure with that,” added the former World Youth Championship runner-up.
“I don’t need to be scared of anybody. I think my biggest danger is myself and how I perform when I have an opportunity to win a big title.
“It is part of the game and part of my progress. I know I’m not the only player who is in this position.
“If I keep scoring like I have been and I hit my checkouts under pressure, then I definitely believe I have a chance of winning this title.”
You can read the full, exclusive interview with Martin in the official 2024 Betfred World Matchplay programme.
NB: Please note new schedule of 1200-1530 & 1630-2000 due to England reaching the UEFA Euro 2024 final.