"The taxman just comes and screws you, doesn’t he - good old Britain": Gary Anderson sees practical reason why increased prize money means very little

Gary Anderson produced the highest World Matchplay average of his career in a 10-2 demolition of Ryan Joyce, but the 55-year-old remains uncertain about how much longer he wants to compete.

His 109.96 average suggested he can still challenge the best players in the world, even if his desire to continue is no longer quite as straightforward.

Anderson hit five 180s, converted 55 per cent of his attempts at doubles and completed 144 and 141 checkouts during the standout performance of the opening weekend in Blackpool. The 2018 champion was far less certain when attention turned from his form to his future.

“It’s not about money. I just like playing darts,” Anderson told talkSPORT. “I can’t work out if it is my head saying still play. Or my body saying still play and my head saying don’t.”

The World Matchplay prize fund has risen to £1 million in 2026, with £225,000 awaiting the winner of the Phil Taylor Trophy. Another major payday would not change Anderson’s daily routine.

“Nothing, I will still be up in the morning and head straight to work. End of,” he said. “The taxman just comes and screws you, doesn’t he. Good old Britain.”

Anderson’s opening display was his 12th ton-plus average at the World Matchplay, leaving only Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright with more. It also comfortably surpassed his previous tournament best of 106.06, set during his title-winning campaign in 2018.

That victory remains Anderson’s only World Matchplay title. He defeated Mensur Suljovic 21-19 in the longest final in the tournament’s history, having also hit a nine-darter against Joe Cullen earlier in the event.

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries dominated much of the pre-tournament discussion, while Wessel Nijman’s eight ranking titles in 2026 made the Dutchman another prominent contender. Anderson delivered a typically direct verdict on the assessments being made around the tournament.

“It just shows you all the pundits know s*** all, don’t they,” he said. “Absolute nothing. We hear all these things, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.’ You know what? Sleep on it.”

Anderson’s 109.96 was the highest average across the opening three sessions and the eighth-highest ever recorded at the World Matchplay. Only seven performances in the tournament’s history have bettered it, with Taylor responsible for four of them.

Anderson also discussed the darting progress of his son, Tai, and the limited role he has chosen to play in his development.

“He does it himself. I don’t play darts with him. I go and watch him,” Anderson explained. “He is a young lad and has got the fire in the belly. If he is missing things, I walk out. I have got nothing to do with Tai and his darts. He does it all himself. He practises himself. He has learned to count himself. He is a better counter than me.”

Tai has been left to decide how far he wants to take his own game, without his father directing his practice or placing expectations upon him.

“It is now on him. If he wants to do it, he has to do it on his own. He throws some good darts,” said Anderson, who had a simple answer when discussing a possible competitive meeting between the pair. “If I ever play him on telly, he is getting it.”

Anderson will return to the Winter Gardens stage against Jonny Clayton in the second round after the Welshman defeated Damon Heta 10-7.