Gary Anderson may be 54, but The Flying Scotsman still has plenty to say on the big stage, both with the darts in his hand and with the microphone afterwards.
The two-time world champion battled past Adam Hunt 3–2 in a tense first-round encounter, but it was Anderson’s post-match interview that really caught attention, as the Scot took aim at what he felt were unnecessary mind games from his opponent.
Gary Anderson, who lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy in 2015 and 2016, suggested Hunt had tried to get inside his head during the contest, questioning his level during one of the breaks.
He’s never played like that for the last 12 months. At the break he popped his head in and went, ‘When was the last time you played like that?’
I went, ‘I play like that all the time, son.’ As simple as that.”
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The Scot didn’t stop there, delivering a typically blunt assessment of the situation and making it clear he wasn’t impressed.
They talk about mind games, but I’ve probably forgot more about darts than what he ever knows.
I’ve played darts a long time. I’m still banging in 110-plus averages. So yeah, I can still play the game how it should be.
While Gary Anderson stopped short of accusing Hunt outright, he made his feelings clear about the modern game and some of the tactics creeping into it.
I just want to play darts. It’s not rocket science.
You throw your darts and you get out of the boy’s way to let him throw. That’s it. That’s the easiest game in the world to play.
The veteran also took a swipe at what he sees as time-wasting at the oche, something he admits has turned him off watching the sport altogether.
When you see them sauntering up to the dartboard and taking 10 minutes to take their darts out, is that darts?
That’s why I don’t watch it. Come on, get on with it.
Despite the frustration, Anderson’s performance showed he remains a threat in the tournament.
Whether his comments spark a response or not, one thing is certain, Gary Anderson isn’t interested in mind games, and if opponents want to beat him, they’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way.
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