"It's not impossible for the women to compete with the men but it needs consistency" - Laura Turner understands Beau Greaves' decision to turn down Ally Pally invite

Beau Greaves continued her dominance over the women's game in Blackpool earlier this month, taking the overall title at the Women's World Matchplay for the second successive year. After her impressive win in the final over Fallon Sherrock however, Greaves caused quite a stir with her comments. 

"I just don’t think we will ever be good enough to play against the likes of Luke Humphries, Michael Van Gerwen or Luke Littler. You’re facing a losing battle before you’ve even thrown a dart," Greaves said about women competing in the mainly men's field of tournaments such as the Grand Slam of Darts and the World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace. "I don’t think any lady will ever go to Ally Pally and win that. You are literally being silly if you think that’s possible. I know how I can play but it doesn’t necessarily happen on the day. Men are just more consistent. You have to be realistic and ask if it’s going to go anywhere."

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As mentioned, these comments have caused a bit of stir in the darting world. Some have credited Greaves for speaking out and urging the PDC to do even more for the women's game. Some however, have reacted the other way, suggesting Greaves, who is widely regarded as the best women's darter on the planet, have more confidence in her own abilities and commit to competing against the men on a regular basis.

"I think having tournaments for the women is important, Beau highlighted that," former Women's World Matchplay qualifier and regular Sky Sports pundit Laura Turner tells Tungsten Tales. "She enjoys playing alongside the women, that's where she wants to play. I think the UK Open could perhaps lend itself to something similar (to the Women's World Matchplay ed.). The multi board system could be a great platform where the women could have a separate version of the tournament. If there were more opportunities of playing in front of big crowds, on big stages, I can only think that the women will get more comfortable."

Turner herself has struggled in the past to produce her best darts on the big stage so is well aware of what the added opportunities could bring. "Once you get there, you want to be able to put your best foot forward, you want to play your best darts," she explains. "Sometimes it's that pressure of trying to perform, because you don't know if or when that opportunity is going to come again. Take me for example, I haven't managed to re qualify for the Women's Matchplay."

Turner in action on the Winter Gardens stage

In terms of the comments Greaves made about the women being able to compete with the men though, Turner isn't quite as dismissive as the women's world champion, who will again turn down an invitation to the Ally Pally in order to return to Lakeside. "I completely understand her desire to go back and defend her world title, she's been quite open and transparent about that from the start," Turner evaluates. "She does what she wants to do and it's paying dividends. You can't argue with her results and the way she's played. It's important for players to feel comfortable and if that is where she feels most comfortable, that's where we're going to see the best of her."

"She's still only 20, she's got a lot of years on her side. Every player has to do what is right for them and Beau has made it quite clear that is the path she'd like to take," concludes Turner. "Beau is the best female player I've ever seen. How she plays, the numbers she posts and if she is saying the women can't compete, you've got to sit up and listen. For me though, she can make inroads and that's why it's so complicated. It's not impossible for the women to compete with the men but it needs consistency and winning tournaments like Beau said needs consistency over a very long format and that's not something we're really exposed too at the moment."

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