Alexandra Palace
Scandal at the Darts World Cup: Psychological games of his opponent make ex-world champion Anderson angry
Mensur Suljovic (left) pissed the two-time world champion Gary Anderson in the Alexandra Palace
© Luke Walker / Getty Images
Darts legend Gary Anderson was boiling with rage: opponent Mensur Suljovic apparently tried to get the two-time world champion out of step with psychological games in the game for the round of 16. He almost succeeded.
The appearance of the two-time darts world champion Gary Anderson on Monday evening in London’s Alexandra Palace was tough. However, it was less about the Scotsman’s mixed performance, which brought him close to the last sixteen, but about the tantrum he had after the game. Anderson was so upset about his opponent, the Austrian Mensur Suljovic, that he preferred to let some time pass before the obligatory winner interview and then still verbally and fiercely dealt against the rival.
You have to know that playing darts has a lot to do with concentration. If it is disturbed, even seasoned professionals can quickly lose their rhythm. So it was the case with Anderson, who saw himself massively impaired by the behavior of his opponent because he disregarded unspoken rules – obviously on purpose.
Suljovic took a lot of time to throw
It started with Suljovic standing at the wrong table before the game started, where the players wait as long as they don’t throw. “Before the game, we were told which table we were at and ended up being at the wrong table during the game. Mensur went to the wrong table. I had to bite the bullet and deal with it. You run up to the table where you’re actually at, but this guy is in the way. My head couldn’t handle it, I lost focus after the first sentence, “ranted Anderson afterwards.
Suljovic went one better and took a lot of time with his throws. Usually, the change with the counterparty is very quick. But the Austrian, who is known for his sedate manner, took it easy at times. While Anderson was already pulling his arrows out of the target, Suljovic was still standing at the table, drinking water or busy with his arrows. Anderson rolled his eyes in annoyance. That Suljovic can do other things, he proved in between when he played faster. “That was an absolute joke. I play darts. I always wanted to play darts. But that had nothing to do with it,” said Anderson after the game.
But the psychological games did not bring the Austrian anything in the end. Anderson won 4-3 sets and is in the World Cup round of 16.
Swell:“Sport1.de”, “Der Spiegel”
