"It’s the same as what us old lads are still hitting": Luke Littler hasn't raised the bar says Gary Anderson as perceived false narrative highlighted

Gary Anderson has once again spoken out about the current level in professional darts. The two-time world champion is convinced that the standard on the big stage has not risen in recent years, despite the emergence of young sensations like Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. According to the Scot, the difference from the past is not quality, but quantity.

The now 55-year-old Anderson, currently the world number six, recently reached the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship for the eighth time in his impressive career. There he ultimately had to acknowledge the superiority of Gian van Veen, one of the talented players of the new generation. Yet “The Flying Scotsman” sees no fundamental difference between today’s elite and the players from his own era.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Anderson made his view on the current development of darts clear. According to Anderson, people often assume the sport has had a huge boost in quality, but that conclusion is too simple in his view. "The level has not gone up. It’s the same as what us old lads are still hitting."

The Scot explains that high averages were being thrown back then as well. “It’s just that there are more of them. Before, you maybe had 20 players who could hit a 100 or 105 average." By that he means the broader field that is now capable of playing top-level darts on a consistent basis.

According to Anderson, this does not mean that players like Littler or Humphries are better than the greats of the past. “Now you have 128. So, I would not say they are getting any better than us, or better in terms of averages. There are just more players who can hit them.” He believes the professionalization of the sport, better training options, and more tournaments have mainly produced a larger group of high-level players, not necessarily a higher peak level.

Alongside his view on the game itself, Anderson also spoke candidly about his current career planning. While younger players enter virtually every tournament, he now chooses more carefully which events he plays. The reason is simple: the intensive travel schedule on the PDC Tour.

“I do. I mean it’s the travelling. It’s great to be these youngsters who go all over the world." He has largely closed that chapter himself. “I have been all over the world and I have loved it. I have seen countries that I have dreamt about going to."

Still, Anderson acknowledges that life on tour can be tough, especially for players who also compete in the Premier League Darts. “But I have done it playing darts. It’s a hectic schedule. It’s really bad especially for the Premier League players," said the Scot. The combination of long trips, high expectations, and constant pressure makes it increasingly difficult, in his view, to keep delivering at the top level.

Despite his age and selective playing schedule, Anderson remains a force to be reckoned with in global darts. His recent World Championship run proves that experience and class still count at the highest level. Moreover, his forthright opinion shows that he is not swayed by hype, but looks at hard numbers and performances.