ANDO STILL “SHAKING” THEM UP
12/11/2023 By Phil Lanning
GARY ANDERSON admitted he was “shaking” with nerves to snatch a last-gasp Grand Slam win.
The two-time World Champ was on the ropes against Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode at the Grand Slam in Wolverhampton last night.
But Ando, 52, fought back to win 5-4 in a deciding leg after missing a hatful of doubles.
He said: “Dirk wasn’t playing too well. I was just wanting to keep the scoring going but I missed doubles. I thought it was going to be one of those nights. I stuck in and nicked it in the end.
“I was nervous coming back. Even that last dart I was shaking, it’s been a while since I’ve been in front of a big crowd. I do love this tournament, I’ve got to keep pushing.
“The Grand Slam I’ve always come here to do something, winner or runner-up.
“I playing now for fun. I’ve got no expectations, I’m not going to do this, I’m not going to do that.
“I hear a lot of ‘I’m going to win this and that’. Carry on mate, on you go.
“I want to put a good show on and try my best. Over the past three years I’ve been terrible.”
Anderson was 4-2 down but came back with bull and the two tops finishes to take the crucial win.
But he admitted he is just happy to keep winning and prove he’s not finished.
He added: “It cheeses them right off and gets right under their skin. You know what, tough, I don’t actually care.
“I just want to win it, it’s my favourite tournament. If I keep playing the way I’m playing, I’m going to do well.
“It’s one of the tournaments, if I don’t win it, years down the line I’ll go I wish I’d won that one.”
Images by Taylor Lanning.
