Anderson in the mood for a flying start
They say time flies when you’re having fun, and the last 12 months have raced by for the Flying Scotsman.
Gary Anderson won the World Darts Championship for the first time in January after a couple of years in the wilderness as he struggled to cope with personal tragedy.
The 44-year-old reached the final at Alexandra Palace in 2011, but his form dropped off after he lost his brother Stewart to a heart attack in September that year and then his dad Gordon passed away six months later.
‘Three or four years ago I lost my dad and my brother and wasn’t enjoying the game and everything was just getting on top of me,’ said Anderson. ‘But then the wee one (20-month-old son Tai) was born and it kind of lifted everything off my shoulders and I started enjoying it again and it was a big difference right away. As soon as you start enjoying it again it makes the game so much easier.
‘The last year has just flown past. It has been fantastic. In the World Series, I just absolutely loved it, going all over the world and playing a game I’m back enjoying playing.’
Anderson will begin his worldtitle defence tonight against either Andy Boulton or Per Laursen, who will meet in a preliminaryround match.
A field of 72 players will compete over 22 sessions at Alexandra Palace to decide who will be crowned 2016 world champion. There is £1.5million in prize money up for grabs, too.
Anderson said he doesn’t feel any added pressure at being the defending champion and having all eyes on him on the opening night of the tournament.
‘Not until everyone keeps mentioning it anyway,’ he joked, ‘and then I start getting a tingle in my toes and the nerves kick in.
‘ There’s definitely pressure because it’s the first round but once you can get over that hurdle then the pressure is off.
‘hopefully I will get home on Friday, but if I get through I’m back on Boxing Day so I’ll get Christmas Day at home and I could be in a really good mood or a really crappy mood. Fingers crossed I can get stuck in so I can enjoy my Christmas turkey.’
Since that stunning victory over 16-time world champion Phil Taylor last year, Anderson secured a second Premier League title in May and reached the European Championship final, where he was beaten by world No 1 Michael van Gerwen.
The Dutchman, who Anderson beat in the semi-finals here 12 months ago, has been in excellent form this season and is the pre-tournament favourite in his quest to win a second world title.
Van Gerwen has won four major televised tournaments in 2015 and Anderson expects another meeting with the 26-year-old.
‘ It would be Phil in the semis and Michael in the final this year, but we’ve all got to get there because the talent level in darts is so high.
‘Whoever wins it is going to have to play bloody well. I don’t think the top eight will be too far away and hopefully it’s me.’