Wesley Plaisier brushes off online criticism after World Darts Championship upset
Wesley Plaisier is navigating the aftermath of a stunning upset victory at the World Darts Championship, remaining unfazed by negative comments aimed at him on social media, reports BritPanorama.
The 35-year-old Dutchman defeated former world champion Gerwyn Price in a convincing 3-0 set victory, a match described as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. Following this win, Plaisier has encountered derogatory remarks regarding his appearance, but he approaches the situation with resilience.
“Haters make you stronger,” he stated during an interview with Sportnieuws.nl, emphasizing a defiant attitude in the face of online criticism.
Despite the influx of negative comments, Plaisier chooses to limit his exposure to them. “I try to shut it out. I don’t respond anyway. I read it very occasionally, but I don’t care at all. I see it as people who are jealous,” he explained, suggesting that he perceives such remarks as stemming from envy.
The match itself marked a pivotal moment in Plaisier’s career, elevating him to new heights within the sport. “My phone literally exploded after the match. I had never experienced anything like it,” he recalled, highlighting the surge of attention he received post-match.
Plaisier noted a surprising congratulatory message from PSV midfielder Joey Veerman, which added to the significance of his victory. Despite being a dedicated Feyenoord supporter, Plaisier demonstrated a mature perspective on the rivalry. “Of course I’ve been disappointed when he scored against Feyenoord. But away from sport we’re all professional toward each other,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Plaisier is set to face Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski in the third round after the Christmas break. While he is seen as a favourite following his performance against Price, he remains grounded. “I think it will be 50/50. People say: You beat Price, then he’s a pushover. But that’s not how I see it, I just have to be sharp against him again,” he said.
The anticipation surrounding Plaisier’s next match offers an exciting prospect for the darts community. As the tournament continues, his journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sport, where triumph can rapidly eclipse adversity.
