Dortmund (AP) – Martin Schindler is following in the footsteps of tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, at least when it comes to acting talent. Like the Serbian, the German Darts Hope likes to imitate their colleagues and their movements.
And he gathers enthusiasm for it. “Many have said they find it ‘hilarious’, that is, very funny,” said Schindler ahead of the next European Championships in Dortmund on Thursday evening (19:00 / Sport1 and DAZN).
Since Djokovic once copied Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and his teammates, Schindler is now doing so with legends like Phil Taylor or current peers like world champion Peter Wright. “It was more for fun. There was a lot left of it because I was trying to find my shot. I trained to throw like the others. I tried to imitate a lot of players,” Schindler told the German news agency. He has received positive feedback and would also find it funny if others could imitate him.
Happy 2022
Schindler’s ease of acting fits into his darts year 2022 where a lot is working out and this has brought him close to the top 32 of the world rankings. “It’s a very good year. There are a lot of good results. I’m super happy,” said Schindler. On Friday, at the European Championships in Dortmund’s Westfalenhalle, he will face Portuguese José de Sousa for the first time. A difficult but not impossible task for Schindler in shape. “I think it will be up to me,” said the 26-year-old with a lot of confidence.
For Schindler, things would go one after the other to the European Championship. If they win at the start, world stars Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands), Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price (both of Wales) would be possible opponents on the way to the final. Despite his good season, Schindler will participate in the tournament as an outsider. A success from him or from compatriot Gabriel Clemens would not only help for the personal CV.
“There is still room for improvement. If sporting results were to increase and we had a player in the top 10, then there would be more football,” said PDC Europe head Werner von Moltke. The second most important market after Great Britain is Germany with its many tournaments, TV market and the enthusiasm of mostly masked fans. So far there hasn’t been a big winner of a German tournament or a player who would have made it through the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Waiting for the German coup
Schindler and Clemens are working to change that in the warm phase of the season. “What we’re still waiting for is that big hit to come. Big hit doesn’t mean someone has reached the semifinals, but that one of us wins a major. Whether it’s Max (Hopp) or Gaga (Clemens) it’s me or it’s me, in that sense it’s an open question, “Schindler said.
Four years ago Hopp reached the semifinals of the European Championship. Schindler hopes “we will break this barrier and go really far. Max has broken many barriers, he has paved the way for us.” While Hopp has dropped significantly on the charts in recent years, Schindler is about to join the world elite. At the World Cup (from 15 December 2022 to 3 January 2023 in London) there will be another holder in addition to Clemens and Schindler through the so-called Super League, which will be held in November.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 221026-99-264790 / 4
