It’s time for Wright to retire – Van Gerwen

Peter Wright should retire, according to three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen, who was knocked out of the PDC World Darts Championship by a unanimous decision.

Wright, the two-time world champion, was surprisingly defeated by debutant Arno Merk on Tuesday despite only having two legs and averaged under 80.

Given the Scotsman’s inconsistent recent performance, Van Gerwen said he was not surprised by his performance and that “it’s time for him to retire anyway.”

William O’Connor, 36, defeated the Dutchman in the third round at Alexandra Palace.

In the past two years, Wright, who won the 2020 and 2022 televised ranking competition, has not advanced past the quarter-finals.

The 55-year-old won both a Players Championship and a European Tour championship in 2022.

For the first time since 2012, Wright was not chosen for the 2025 Premier League Darts season and was unable to make it to the Grand Slam of Darts.