Gary Anderson has launched a scathing attack on the new generation of darts players, branding them "boring, absolutely boring" and calling for the return of his old rival Adrian Lewis. The two-time world champion expressed his frustration during the opening round of the World Matchplay, where he beat Luke Woodhouse.
Anderson lamented the lack of camaraderie in the modern game, recalling how he and former greats like Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis used to socialise. He told SportsBoom: "The good old days, that's when darts players were darts players. Me, Lewis, Taylor, Kevin [Painter], we used to sit and have a crack and a laugh. Nowadays nobody talks to anybody."
The Scot singled out the younger players' obsession with their phones, claiming they are "too busy looking at their phones" to engage in banter. He acknowledged their talent but warned: "They’re good but they aren’t that good. That’s what you’ve got to remember."
Teenage sensation Luke Littler, known for his gaming hobby, is often seen on his phone, a habit other players have noted. Despite this, Littler averaged over a ton in his first-round win over Ryan Searle. Meanwhile, top seed Luke Humphries suffered a shock exit, losing 10-8 to Gian van Veen.
