Gary Anderson claims experience gives him edge over younger darts players

Gary Anderson, the 53-year-old veteran darts player from Scotland, is set to make his 24th appearance at the World Darts Championship this Christmas at the Alexandra Palace. Having had an impressive season, Anderson won the Players Championship 2 and the European Darts Grand Prix, demonstrating his continued prowess in the sport. Recently, he reached the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts, where he narrowly lost to the rising star Luke Littler in a thrilling match that ended 16-15. Despite acknowledging the talent of younger players such as Littler, Mike de Decker, and Gian van Veen, Anderson believes that his experience in high-pressure situations gives him a crucial advantage as he faces potential opponents in the upcoming rounds. Reflecting on his previous successes, which include two world titles in 2015 and 2016, Anderson commented on the significance of those victories. He noted that once a player has won a world title, the pressure tends to lessen, allowing for a more relaxed approach in subsequent tournaments. Anderson recalled his memorable final against Phil Taylor, expressing an appreciation for the opportunity that current young players will not have to compete against the legendary figure. However, he admits that, while confident in his abilities, he has not consistently won since 2018 and is approaching this championship without any expectations other than to perform well. As he prepares for the intense competition, Anderson's unique combination of skill, past achievements, and experience on the big stage may play a vital role in determining his performance in this year's championship.