James Wade targets another final appearance at World Matchplay
Friday 15 July 2016 11:29, UK
James Wade tells Sky Sports about 'magical' influence of World Matchplay, another meeting with Mervyn King, and why he does not fear Michael van Gerwen.
Wade has fond memories from his annual trips to Blackpool and the six-time finalist will be hoping for another prolonged stay in the tourist resort when the World Matchplay starts this Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
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Only Phil Taylor, a 15-time winner, has a better record in the major tournament, and Wade offers a light-hearted response when asked to explain his success on past pilgrimages to the seaside town.
"It must be the fun fair and the promenade, the 'Golden Mile', the sunny beach, the blue sea, the white sand. Did you get all that?" the 2007 winner told Sky Sports.
"It's the format, the people, the venue. The people there are so humble and nice, it's the best format in the world - in my opinion - and the venue is lovely."
Nicknamed 'The Machine', Wade is a gritty performer who relishes matches in this particular tournament, which are decided purely by legs rather than sets.
But even Wade, with a number of major titles on the mantelpiece, admits he is still inspired by the historic surroundings of the Winter Gardens.
Just walk in there. It's very strange, it's like the room is full. It's a magical building.
"Everyone should walk into the Winter Gardens when it's completely empty. Just walk in there. It's very strange, it's like the room is full. It's a magical building," he said.
Wade's first round match should entertain this weekend's packed house as he faces Mervyn King, the shaven headed Suffolk man, who has earned a reputation as one of the pantomime villains on the PDC Tour.
King often uses ear plugs to block out the jeers, but Wade is well accustomed to dealing with the temperamental reaction of the crowd.
"It's just Mervyn, everyone has got their own character they portray or the way they behave in front of the camera," he said. "It's just the way Mervyn does it.
"If they're going to boo you, they're going to boo you. There are certain players that get nipped at for wearing ear plugs - like Mervyn, who has been nipped at for years.
"You've got to get on with it. You only notice when it's going wrong."
Wade is sometimes targeted by the boo boys, admitting it is 'very lonely' on stage, but gives another glimpse of his dry humour when revealing why he prefers the World Matchplay to the festive party atmosphere that surrounds the World Championships.
"I always think why can't they put it on a couple of weeks later and get Christmas out of the way," he said. "If they could do that, I would love the World Championships.
"Let's be honest, it's a huge amount of money, it's a massive title, but who wants to be working at Christmas? Ban TV for Christmas."
Twelve months ago, Wade finally loosened Taylor's vice-like grip on the trophy, ending his bid for an eighth straight title with a 17-14 win in the semi-finals.
Wade gives an honest assessment of his one-sided 18-12 defeat to Van Gerwen in the final, although the 33-year-old is not daunted by the prospect of another title decider against the Dutchman.
"Flat as a pancake," he said. "Maybe mentally the game against Phil just took the edge off me, but I wasn't very good. I wasn't very good in the final of the World Grand Prix either.
"But I'm starting to get to grips with him. I've beaten Michael more times than he's beaten me in the last six or seven games. He'll remember that. I'm sure he'll be very confident against me, but he will remember that."
You can follow all the action across our digital platforms and on Sky Sports with the action getting underway on Saturday from 7pm and every night through to the final on Sunday July 24 #LoveTheDarts
