DARTS ACE BACKS WADE HANDSHAKE SNUB
11/04/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
By Aaron Nijjar
VINCENT van der Voort has backed James Wade after he refused to shake hands with Cameron Menzies before their last-leg decider at the International Darts Open.
Menzies held out a sportsmanlike hand with the players tied up at 5-5, but ‘The Machine’ kept it strictly business and left his Scottish rival hanging.
‘Cammy’ would swiftly take his revenge by winning the leg against the darts in the second round at Riesa.
10-time major winner Wade had his chances, missing a match dart at bullseye on a 124 checkout, and then two darts at double-10 when he came back to attempt 39.
He was then punished by Menzies, who had 25 left and only needed one dart at double eight after hitting the single nine.
Former UK Open finalist Van der Voort dismissed the idea that Wade did anything wrong.
He said on the Darts Draait Door podcast: “There’s no rule that says you have to shake hands before a deciding leg.
“It’s not necessary. Why should it be? You’ve already shaken hands before the match.
“At some point, this whole handshake-before-the-last-leg thing just crept in. Wishing your opponent a good game again?
“No thanks—that’s not how it works.”
‘The Dutch Destroyer’ acknowledged that the gesture has become an unwritten tradition in darts but questioned its necessity.
He added: “It’s all meant to be very sportsmanlike, and I get that. But I don’t think it should be expected.
“It can come across as a bit awkward. And maybe it even adds some pressure for your opponent.
“I’m not there to be friendly. I’m there to win. It’s customary, yes, but it’s not mandatory.”
Ayshire thrower Menzies was knocked out in the third round of the European tournament losing 6-4 to Stephen Bunting.
But world No 36 Menzies claimed his second PDC senior title this week after winning the Players Championship 11 in Leicester.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
