Photo: Kieran Cleeves
By Ryan Segal
Adam Leek says he believes that Australia can walk away as World Cup champions ahead of his debut at the tournament.
The 27 year old from Adelaide, who won his maiden two year stint on the tour in January, teams up with Damon Heta in Frankfurt as they look to bring home a second crown for Oz.
Although he's known he'd be pulling on the yellow and green jersey since getting his card - the feeling still hasn't sunk in:
"It's just such a surreal feeling, I don't think it's really hit me yet either.
I think, when i get to the venue on Thursday and I'm like 'Wow, this is really happening' - that's when it will kick in. At the moment it just hasn't hit me. It's going to be unreal."
Adam's been in frequent contact with Heta, who's been an ever present at the tournament since 2020, winning it with Simon Whitlock in 2022.
He says the pair are in good spirits after their time practicing together:
"We've played a few games against the Scolia together. The last game we played - We won, and we were pretty happy with how we played. It was a good note to sign off on - Hopefully we can bring that kind of game to the World Cup. And I think we will."
The Leek is upbeat about the duo's chances in their first outing as a pair:
"I'm confident - If we both play our 'A' game, why can't we win it? You've got to believe, otherwise why are you there?"
The Aussies find themselves in Group G - dubbed by many the tournament's 'Group of Death', alongside the USA and Canada.
But Adam is confident in what he and Heta are bringing to the World Cup table - and says he isn't paying attention to that label.
"Not really - because I think if you want to do well in a tournament, or win it, you need to be able to beat everyone there. If we get out that group, I think we'll feel pretty confident going into the knockouts. And I believe we will. I speak to Jim Long on the Pro Tour a bit, so it'll be cool to play against him."
Of course, whilst there's no ranking money on offer over the weekend - a good run could be fruitful further down the line, with Grand Slam spots on offer for reaching the final - a notion that has crossed his mind.
"It's something I've thought about, but nothing beyond that. It would be amazing to secure a spot at the Grand Slam - but my focus is on representing Australia and seeing what happens."