Gary Anderson makes thoughts on darts retirement clear as Scot, 53, gets fiery
Darts icon Gary Anderson responded to questions about retirement with a fiery rant about the media and pundits in the sport.
Darts icon Gary Anderson has hit back at critics suggesting he should consider retiring from the sport, claiming his detractors "don't have a clue".
The 53-year-old, who recently beat the world No 1 Luke Humphries at the Players Championship 24 event, kicked off his World Grand Prix campaign in Leicester with a win over Michael Smith in round one.
Speaking at a press conference before his next game against Mike De Decker on Thursday, the Flying Scotsman was asked if retirement was still considered to be in the "very distant future".
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And that particular question appeared to strike a nerve as he launched into a fiery rant at reporters, repeatedly telling "pundits" they have no idea about what they're talking about.
"This is what happens when you work for TV and press, you've not got a frigging clue," Anderson said.
"I'll stop [playing darts] when I want to stop. You've not got a clue, honestly. You just think what you see, what you get. You've not got a clue! People have lives."
"??????????????????'???????????? ?????????????????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????, ??????'???????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????."
— Live Darts (@livedarts) October 8, 2024
Gary Anderson pulls no punches in unmissable press conference following his opening win at the World Grand Prix
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Anderson then began to address specific members of the media, pointing in their direction: "Do you have a life? Do you have a life? Do you have a life? Yeah, well I think otherwise, because if you're doing this constantly, you don't have a life.
"I know what I can do, what I can do and what I can't do. At the end of the day, like you say, you're pundits. You don't have a clue! That's why they're sitting on their a***s talking about darts instead of playing darts."
The two-time PDC World Champion, who clinched the title in 2015 and 2016, has previously addressed speculation concerning his future retirement. On that occasion, the Scot was much calmer and insisted he was still hungry to win another title before ending his career.
"I will win another for sure! I have that hunger and desire back and despite everything, I still love playing this game," Anderson said in 2021.
"I'm old school and just want to play darts the way it should be played and I want to prove a point to all the doubters but more importantly to myself.
"I really savour the combat on the big stages in the big tournaments. In the last few months I managed to get to the two biggest finals at the World Matchplay and World Championship without playing well. I truly believe if I can get to anywhere near my best, I will be a major threat."
