Photo: Zanis Buklovskis/PDC Nordic & Baltic

Valters Melderis is the current number one on the Nordic and Baltic rankings, but it is not that important for the Latvian – yet.

It is not even two weeks ago some of the very best players from the Nordic and Baltic region played against each other in the Nordic and Baltic Pro Tour 3 and 4 in Gothenburg.

Now they will be heading to Iceland and among the players we find the new big name from Latvia, Valters Melderis. With his title in Gothenburg at Event 3 and his final in Event 4, the Latvian has taken pole position on the Nordic and Baltic rankings.

“It is a good feeling, but I don’t linger too much looking at the rankings and being satisfied, because I know, that it is not really important which position I am in the middle of the season – what matters is the position after the last tournament in Norway,” Valters Melderis tells pdc-nordic.tv.

“There are many great players on the tour with high ambitions and I expect the rankings to change after each weekend. I can not say, that I was expecting to be on the top of the rankings, but I know, that my game is at a good place and I enjoy my darts, so I expect to have high-quality games and to bring my highest level as often as possible.”

With the position as number one in the rankings, and with no Latvian players to participate at the European Tour as things stands now, Valters Melderis is also in a good position for securing another spot at the Latvian team for the World Cup later this year.

“I would love to represent Latvia in the World Cup again. Experience from the World Cup 2024 was one of the most intense I’ve ever had in darts – from the lowest and darkest emotions after playing badly and losing to France, to almost euphoria after turning it all around the next day and playing good against Denmark. It was amazing to be alongside Madars Razma and see how a true professional prepares for the game and I learned a lot from him and the experience as a whole. There was a certain amount of luck for me to obtain last year’s spot in the team, so this season I am determined to work hard and to make sure that I have earned the place.”

But for now the focus is on the upcoming weekend in Iceland with another two Nordic and Baltic Pro Tours on the program.

“For the upcoming weekend and the rest of the season my main goal is to play at a level, at which I can be proud of how I’ve played after each tournament and will take any success as a benefit. I’m also looking forward to enjoy competing with strong players and just embrace the experience and opportunities that PDC Nordic & Baltic offers.”

With the spot as number one on the Nordic and Baltic rankings it is only natural to ask about dreams and ambitions for Ally Pally, so of course Valters Melderis also got the question.

“First of all, I want to mention, that I am very grateful to people who believe in me and support my participation and thanks to whom we are even having this conversation. Darts is an individual sport, but to do something on your own is nearly impossible. So, I want to say a huge “thank you” to Žanis and ProDarts.lv, my wife Dasha, my good friend Rihards, Cosmo Darts and others without whom I would not be able to play on the tour.”

“Regarding Ally Pally; of course, the World Championship is like a “Holy Grail” of darts and to think that I can even be in the conversation about a potential participation is something I could not have imagined when I started to play darts or even a few years ago. But whatever will happen at the end of the season will be the right thing to happen – if I earn my spot, I will have a great experience and make some amazing memories, but if not, I’ll have something to play for also next season.”

The weekend in Iceland will feature the Nordic and Baltic Pro Tour 5 and 6, and as always all the action can be followed on our Youtube or Dartconnect, with the first event to start at Saturday at 11:00 local time.