Peter Wright's struggles on the PDC ProTour have deepened, with the former world champion suffering a 6-0 second-round defeat to David Sharp at Players Championship 6. Wright averaged just 70.77 in what was described as one of the weakest performances of his professional career. This setback adds to a difficult season that has seen him exit in the first round four times at floor events and fail to qualify for the first two Euro Tour tournaments.
Former professional Chris Mason has suggested that Wright should consider a temporary step back from competition. "Peter Wright must still be playing to a certain level in practice to put himself through this. I mean, he has earned a fortune. He doesn't need to play, does he? Let's have that right," Mason said. He added, "Fair play to him — many by now would have gone, 'No, you're alright. I think I'll have a little bit of time off.' Maybe that is the solution for him — just to take himself off on a nice cruise for a couple of weeks and forget about it, then go again."
Wright, currently ranked world number 33, remains committed to returning to the top despite acknowledging his poor form. "I suppose so because I've been playing rubbish all year. All their eyes are on the two Lukes and Gezzy, so that's good. I'm surprised anyone wants to talk with Wrighty," he stated. He also noted, "I think I prefer that as well, to be honest. Obviously because I haven't been performing, so really, the big names are not really looking out for me as a danger, I think."
However, Wright expressed frustration over his inability to translate practice form to the stage. "Obviously, I feel bad for all my fans, the way I've been playing. People don't realise that. The thing is I'm playing brilliantly in practice and it's just not coming out on stage at the moment," he concluded. "If I was playing rubbish in practise, then I might be thinking like, wind it down, slowly drop away."
