"Just to talk about other players, absolute rubbish": Anderson hits out at media overlooking Humphries despite accolades

Gary Anderson is through to the Last 16 of the 2024 World Grand Prix albeit he did it the hard way as he prevailed against Michael Smith in a last leg decider on Tuesday night.

But Anderson had some choice words after winning in Leicester hitting out at the media for their treatment of Luke Humphries, pundits and also saying that he only enjoys playing the ProTour at the moment and doesn't care for anything else.

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"To win is great but either way I wouldn't care and I really do mean it. I play darts a long time now. It's more of a hobby than ever. When they go well, they go well and when they don't, they don't. There's days I play phenomenal and other days I don't play phenomenal," said Anderson.

Proven that it is his best form since winning his two World titles, he has done so while not wanting to play the sport or practicing with Ryan Searle either.

"It's to prove a point to myself. It's not to you boys, it's not to the supporters. It's not to the dart players. When I was practicing with Ryan (Searle), I told you I was playing well. Last time we practiced I reckon it was January. But this month's been alright, I've been across to Scotland doing charity nights and Ireland. It's worked a treat."

"I love playing the ProTour. Sit at the table, we have a cracking laugh. TV tournaments, World Series they don't interest me. I'd rather just play ProTour."

But while he isn't too pleased playing right now, he is full of praise for the future and believes the darting landscape is bright. "You've got Luke Humphries best player in the world no doubt. Should do a bit more interviews with Luke because he deserves it. What he has won over the last 12-18 months, he deserves it. Luke Littler's coming through firing all guns. You've got Mike de Decker cracking player. Darts is going to be a funny place in the next couple of years."

Gary Anderson (pictured) got one over old sparring partner Michael Smith.

Press retirement questioning and Luke Humphries

But he also hit out at retirement questioning and told the journalists that they don't have a clue and had the same lack of praise for pundits too.

"It's what happens when you work for press and TV. You've not got a friggin clue, I'll stop when I want to stop. You just think what you see is what you get, you've not got a clue. People have lives, it's nice to have a life. But if you do this constantly, you don't have a life."

"I know what I can do, what I can do and at the end of the day, your pundits have not got a clue. It's why they're sitting on their arses talking about darts instead of playing darts."

While also launching into a rant about how Luke Humphries is treated with 'Cool Hand Luke' overlooked for other players such as Luke Littler by certain sections of the media which 'The Flying Scotsman' believe is 'rubbish' given what he has won.

"It's not just being World Champion, what has Luke won in the last two years. He has won just about everything since this last year. He's not just World Champion, he's here for a reason. World Champion was added onto his CV. He's won so much more and he gets looked over every time. I think it's a load of b*******s to be honest. He deserved everything he's worked for, everything he's got. Just to talk about other players, absolute rubbish. Just a little respect, it's always other people. But Luke goes on you go. As long as they're talking about other people, the limelights off of him so he can just carry on what he does. He's handling it well but deep down he must be cheesed off."