SCHINDLER UNDER PRIZE MONEY PRESSURE
20/04/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
MARTIN SCHINDLER admits the pressure of defending his prize money is taking a toll on his game.
The Wall finally showed signs of life at the European Darts Grand Prix by reaching the quarter-final before falling 6-5 to Gerwyn Price.
It marked a much-needed improvement for the German, who had previously failed to progress beyond the third round on both the European Tour and Players Championship circuit.
Schindler has now opened up on the mental battle behind his dip in form.
He said: “It doesn’t feel like I am 100 percent myself when I am up there. It is not the same self-confidence as it was before.
“Now I just need to fight for every game that I am playing. I think if you don’t try hard, you don’t get what you want.
“I want to be good at darts and go up in the rankings.
“I think now this year it is the pressure situation to defend a lot of money, especially on the ProTour.
“I want to defend my prize money, so maybe I put too much pressure on myself, which costs me my game.
“But I am fighting my way through that.”
The world No.18 has also struggled to deliver on the big stage this season, with his best result a run to the fifth round of the UK Open.
Schindler enjoyed a breakthrough 2024 campaign, winning the International Darts Open and Swiss Darts Trophy, prize money he must now defend to avoid slipping down the Order of Merit.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
