Gary Anderson disappointed to miss out on Premier League invitation: "Was sick about because I wanted to say no"

Gary Anderson has revealed he was not approached for a return to the Premier League Darts, something that – by his own admission – still disappointed him. Not because he was desperate to take part, but because he would have liked the chance to say “no” himself. The two-time world champion said the decision by the PDC bosses surprised him, although he also understands why he was not selected.

The 55-year-old Scot, better known as ‘The Flying Scotsman’, is regarded as one of the most successful players in the history of modern darts. Yet he has little desire to return to the prestigious but grueling Premier League Darts. According to Anderson, he has had his time in that circus and prefers to focus on events that better suit his current ambitions and lifestyle.

“No, which I was sick about because I wanted to say no,” said Anderson to Premier Darts. “I think they knew the way I had gone on. They kept asking, asking and asking, but I’m happy with what I’m doing now."

Anderson stresses he has nothing but respect for the Premier League Darts, which he describes as a fantastic event, but also extremely demanding. “The Premier League — I’ve done it. Got the T-shirt. It’s fantastic, hard grafting,” he says matter-of-factly.

The Scot was a mainstay in the Premier League Darts for years and won the tournament in 2011 and 2015. Even so, the motivation to submit himself again to the weekly travel and play has faded. Anderson would rather channel his energy into improving his position in the world rankings.

He is currently sixth in the world rankings, a spot he wants to keep at all costs – or even improve. “But to do that, and with me up to world No. 6 now, I want to keep pushing for the next five years."

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for Anderson is the intense travel schedule that comes with the Premier League Darts. Moving from city to city every week, often combined with other tournaments, is starting to take its toll. “I still want to do the ProTours and the Europeans. I’ve started to enjoy the Europeans — I know I’ve had a long break from them.

“I’ve enjoyed the ones I can get to easily. You know, it’s one flight, maybe a taxi and a train — that’s fine.

“It’s when I have to get two flights, a three-hour train and then a taxi for half an hour — no thank you."

According to Anderson, some events nowadays are staged in locations that are hard to reach. “Some of the places they’re in now are in the middle of nowhere."

He then sketches the schedule of a Premier League week: “If you’re in the Premier League, you need to be there on the Wednesday and play on the Thursday. On Friday, you have to fly off to Germany or wherever it is, then you’re playing Saturday and Sunday. Back on Monday, then Tuesday you’re at home packing and getting ready for Wednesday again.

Although the Premier League Darts is known for its high prize money, Anderson stresses that it does not fix everything. “Don’t get me wrong, the money is good, but it cancels itself out, doesn’t it?”

Anderson’s recent results underline that his focus on the ProTour is paying off. Last season he enjoyed an excellent campaign, winning the European Darts Grand Prix and Players Championship 7. He also reached the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship, where he was eventually knocked out by Gian van Veen.

For Anderson, it is clear: no Premier League Darts is not a missed opportunity, but a deliberate choice. And although he was disappointed not to have been asked, he seems more than satisfied with the direction his career is taking.