"I’m not there to be friendly. I’m there to win": Vincent van der Voort understands James Wade snubbing Cameron Menzies' handshake in Riesa
PDC
In a new episode of the podcast Darts Draait Door, former professional darts player Vincent van der Voort revisited a minor incident that occurred during the second-round clash at the International Darts Open between James Wade and Cameron Menzies.
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The tournament, held last weekend in Riesa, Germany, marked the third event on the 2025 European Tour calendar. In a thrilling second-round encounter between Wade and Menzies, the match went the full distance, reaching a decisive eleventh leg. Traditionally—though not officially required—it’s customary for players to offer each other a fist bump or handshake ahead of such a crucial leg.
Menzies appeared ready to follow this etiquette, extending his hand in good faith, but Wade turned away and went straight to the oche, prompting laughter from the crowd and viewers at home as Menzies exaggeratedly held his hand out for all to see.
Vincent van der Voort weighed in on the matter, firmly defending Wade’s choice. “There’s no rule that says you have to shake hands before a deciding leg,” said the 49-year-old Dutchman. “It’s not necessary. Why should it be?”
“You’ve already shaken hands before the match,” he continued. “At some point, this whole handshake-before-the-last-leg thing just crept in. Wishing your opponent a good game again? No thanks—that's not how it works.”
Cameron Menzies eventually won the match 6-5
An Unwritten Rule
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Van der Voort acknowledges that the gesture has become an unwritten rule in the sport, but he questions its necessity. “It’s all meant to be very sportsmanlike, and I get that. But I don’t think it should be expected. It can come across as a bit awkward. And maybe it even adds some pressure for your opponent.”
“I’m not there to be friendly. I’m there to win,” Van der Voort concluded. “It’s customary, yes, but it’s not mandatory.”
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
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