WITHGranted, the timing could have been better, and he’d be the first to want just that. But what Max Hopp has had to experience since his book went on sale can hardly be explained by the badly chosen publication date alone.
“From 0 to 180 – a darts career in Germany” has been available in stores since the beginning of the week. A work in which the 25-year-old treats his life so far in chronological order.
That it appears exactly in the weakest phase of his career and even his darts career is currently threatened, could hardly be more unfortunate. The situation in December thwarted the book title.
The Idsteiner was replaced by Florian Hempel as the German number two on Tuesday evening and threatens to lose his tour card for the first time in seven years this week. And in view of his last achievements, it is more than questionable whether Hopp could win back the right to start at the Q-School in January.
Until the World Cup, Max Hopp was still the German number two behind Gabriel Clemens (left)
Source: PDC Europe / Kais Bodensieck
Facts that justify the criticism at the chosen point in time. The amount of malice and ridicule that Hopp opposes on Instagram, Twitter and especially Facebook is more likely to be attributed to the jealousy and resentment of the commentators.
Under Hopp’s advertising postings for his book, the crowd of Hopp-haters, which has grown in recent years with its decreasing success, gathers. A few weeks ago, Fabian Schmutzler said in an interview with WELT: “Max Hopp was only a little older when he played for the first time and won the World Youth Championship. He’s already won PDC events. This year things are not going so well for him, and he is already beating down on him and everyone is talking badly about him. “
Hopp serves the 16-year-old, who made his debut as the youngest World Cup participant in the 3-0 draw against Ryan Meikle on December 16, as a warning example that has now been confirmed once again.
Hopp won a PDC tournament in 2018
Hopp had become junior world champion in 2015 and was the first dart player to make it into the eyes of a broad German public. With his achievements he helped to make the sport big in this country, is with his eight appearances in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021 German record World Cup participant and to this day is the only German to win a PDC tournament . In April 2018 he won the German Open in Saarbrücken.
Talent with great prospects: Max Hopp in 2013
Source: pa / Pressefoto Ba / Julia Rahn
What many seem to have forgotten, who now label him as lazy, embarrassing and failed. Failure and moron are still the most innocuous titles with which he is given in the comment columns.
“Terrifying what is partly written here !! I give everyone their opinion. Guys, think about it. Two years of work and savings have gone into this project !! You neither have to buy it, nor find it good! ”Hopp wrote in response to the comments on Facebook. After the first hour, more than 200 users had commented on the topic.
“Just because I have bad years, I won’t call it“ From 0 to 180 to 0 ”. Take a look at what I have sacrificed and given for the sport and learn to respect !! In addition, I have experienced a lot of entertaining and interesting things, I will report on that !! I think it’s fitting, because no German-speaking player has ever made a book, should actually have done Mensur! In Viennese slang. “
In addition to the hatred he encounters, Hopp also experienced encouragement. Fans join the “Maximiser”. Nevertheless, he would certainly have been well advised not to publish the book until at least the worst-case scenario had been averted. Especially since it was already too late for the Christmas business.
Since he was unable to qualify for the World Cup, he had no way of defending his 2020 World Cup prize money, which had been removed from the money list. He has lost 16 places so far and is currently 63rd in the world rankings calculated on the basis of the past two years. Only the first 64 players will receive the tour card for the coming year. Should Alan Soutar and Rowby-John Rodriguez, lurking right behind him, win their next World Cup matches, the professional tour would be history for Hopp for the time being.
However, the probability is not high, and there is another aspect that could comfort him: Bad PR is better than no PR. And the book title may well see a new edition in reality in the coming year: from 0 to 180. Because that’s where Hopp starts again after a messed up season.
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