Unconventional assessments of Corona and Rene Eidams: Mensur Suljovic
What: pa/empics/Adam Davy
Mensur Suljovic named his first corona vaccination as the reason for his form crisis. A statement that surprises. The date is eleven months ago. Since then, the Austrian had celebrated one of his greatest successes. His assessment of Rene Eidams is also confusing.
Dhe great years of Mensur Suljovic are a little over the past. In 2017 he won the Champions League and reached the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix. The following year he made it there again in the last four, as well as in the Masters and the Grand Slam, the World Matchplay even ended in the final.
Since then, however, the performance curve of the best darts professional from Austria, who is currently fighting against falling out of the top 32 in the world rankings, has been falling. In this respect, his victory at the start of the UK Open was immensely important. “The Gentle” was able to beat Kim Huybrechts 10:9 on Friday evening and then gave a short interview to DAZN.
The analysis of the victory was followed by commentator Elmar Paulke’s question as to whether and how Suljovic could explain his fluctuating performances. “Elmar, you’re my friend, I’m honest,” replied the Serb, who was starting for the Alpine country, and named the reason: “Unfortunately, I haven’t felt well since the first vaccination. I can’t enforce my training. My training is always five to six hours. But at the moment I’m happy if I can manage three or four hours. But I’m focused. I hope to become the old Mensur. Never give up.”
Suljovic hails Rene Eidams as a top player
A statement that surprises. Suljovic’s first corona vaccination was more than ten months ago, as Paulke later remarked. Above all, Suljovic’s greatest success in recent years dates back to September 12, 2021, when he caused a sensation together with Rowby-John Rodriguez and Austria with victories over the Philippines, Belgium, Northern Ireland and the top-seeded Englishmen to the final of the World cups led.
Mensur Suljovic carried Austria to the World Cup final, which they lost 3-1 to Scotland
Source: PDC Europe/Kais Bodensieck
A point in time that is five months after his vaccination. Nevertheless, Suljovic is certain that the protective measure will have a negative impact on his performance. He is not the most talented player, always has to fight and train a lot, he said. But this is hardly possible anymore. He left out details about symptoms. Just this much: “I always go to doctors, but unfortunately nobody can tell me anything specific. And that is a big problem.”
His subsequent statements did not exactly make his theses more credible. Suljovic estimated his normal training time at eight hours and shortly afterwards even reported twelve-hour training sessions. Now, however, it is often over after five minutes. It became more and more dramatic as credibility dwindled.
In the end he turned to co-commentator René Eidams, who is celebrating his 50th birthday on Saturday. He made headlines at the 2016 World Cup when he had Michael van Gerwen on the brink of defeat in his opening match. Since then, the German player has tried in vain to jump onto the professional tour. Most recently, he failed in the fight for qualifying places for German players in three European Tour tournaments.
When the “Cube” was physically still one: René Eidams two years ago
Source: pa/dpa/Revierfoto
“Rene Eidams is one of the best players,” said Suljovic: “He should just focus on his game and he manages to do it without any problems. I guarantee that. I know him and he can do it.” Well, yes.
For Suljovic, on the other hand, things could continue to improve on his birthday. He received an easy draw with Dutchman Geert Nentjes in the fifth round of the UK Open. The round of 16 seems possible. Despite vaccination.
