Anderson Advances, Critiques Darts Influencers and Schedule

Gary Anderson, the 55-year-old Scottish darts veteran and two-time world champion, advanced at the Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes on Thursday night with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Niels Zonneveld, but it was his candid post-match remarks that dominated attention.

The world number six trailed after losing the opening set 2-0 amid a sluggish start marked by missed doubles. Anderson rallied to claim four of the next five legs, only for Zonneveld to force a decider with a 121 finish. The Scot sealed the win with clinical finishes on tops and double 16, showcasing his experience in the best-of-five sets format. He faces James Wade in the last 16 on Saturday.

In the press room, Anderson unleashed a blunt critique of the growing influencer culture in darts, emphasizing his preference for the sport's traditional roots over digital trends. "I'm a darts player, I'm not here to sit and talk and tell stories," he said. "And when I do, I usually get into trouble." He expressed frustration with YouTube creators offering playing tips despite lacking skill, recounting watching one such figure and finding their performance "absolutely rank." Anderson urged young players to focus on...