Gary Anderson’s manager reveals bizarre injury that scuppered World Championship bid
Gary Anderson’s shock World Darts Championship exit could have been down to a secret injury that he picked up cutting trees. The two-time world champion was eliminated on Sunday night, beaten 3-0 by an inspired Jeffrey de Graaf at Alexandra Palace. Two-time winner Anderson suffered a shock injury before the clashGetty Anderson, the 14th seed at Ally Pally, was a a big favourite against the Swedish star – and his exit was arguably the biggest upset of the tournament so far. While it was a rare off-night, Anderson’s manager, Tommy Gilmour, revealed a painful reason that may have contributed to his elimination. The darts star certainly wasn’t pulling up any trees at the World Championship, but it was a tree-related injury that affected his performance. Gilmour said: “It was a bad night in the office. It’s not an excuse because he should be able to win these games. “For the last week he’s been suffering problems with his shoulder. He was cutting trees at the lake. “That’s what happens when you have another job and you have to keep everything going. “He admitted his shoulder was killing him and he was on the painkillers. “That’s why he was just 15 per cent on his doubles. He’s not been able to reach up to the doubles. “On the way to the venue he seemed to be OK but obviously it wasn’t right. A player of Gary’s calibre doesn’t only hit 15 per cent on the doubles, I knew something was bothering him.” At 54 years of age – and with darts being dominated by young stars including Luke Littler and Luke Humphries – questions have been asked about Anderson’s future in the sport. Anderson was gracious in defeat, despite the shockSky Sports Meanwhile it was a night to remember for De GraafGetty But responding to those questions, his manager said that he’s not done yet. He added: “Gary finished? What a load of b******s, he’s number 12 in the world! “He was really looking forward to the World Championship. It’s a disaster in a way because he was looking forward to it and had put in some of the work. “I got a text from him this morning saying ‘I’ll make it up to you at the Masters’. “I’m going in for a heart operation at some stage over the next couple of weeks. “I told him after last night, no wonder I’ve got heart problems. He responded and said he didn’t know I had a heart! “That’s why I wasn’t down in London for his match but Stephanie was there to represent Dunvegan and look after him.”
Gary Anderson’s shock World Darts Championship exit could have been down to a secret injury that he picked up cutting trees.
The two-time world champion was eliminated on Sunday night, beaten 3-0 by an inspired Jeffrey de Graaf at Alexandra Palace.
Anderson, the 14th seed at Ally Pally, was a a big favourite against the Swedish star – and his exit was arguably the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
While it was a rare off-night, Anderson’s manager, Tommy Gilmour, revealed a painful reason that may have contributed to his elimination.
The darts star certainly wasn’t pulling up any trees at the World Championship, but it was a tree-related injury that affected his performance.
Gilmour said: “It was a bad night in the office. It’s not an excuse because he should be able to win these games.
“For the last week he’s been suffering problems with his shoulder. He was cutting trees at the lake.
“That’s what happens when you have another job and you have to keep everything going.
“He admitted his shoulder was killing him and he was on the painkillers.
“That’s why he was just 15 per cent on his doubles. He’s not been able to reach up to the doubles.
“On the way to the venue he seemed to be OK but obviously it wasn’t right. A player of Gary’s calibre doesn’t only hit 15 per cent on the doubles, I knew something was bothering him.”
At 54 years of age – and with darts being dominated by young stars including Luke Littler and Luke Humphries – questions have been asked about Anderson’s future in the sport.
But responding to those questions, his manager said that he’s not done yet.
He added: “Gary finished? What a load of b******s, he’s number 12 in the world!
“He was really looking forward to the World Championship. It’s a disaster in a way because he was looking forward to it and had put in some of the work.
“I got a text from him this morning saying ‘I’ll make it up to you at the Masters’.
“I’m going in for a heart operation at some stage over the next couple of weeks.
“I told him after last night, no wonder I’ve got heart problems. He responded and said he didn’t know I had a heart!
“That’s why I wasn’t down in London for his match but Stephanie was there to represent Dunvegan and look after him.”
