ANDO: I’M TOO OLD TO WIN GRAND SLAM

GARY ANDERSON admits it would be a “fairytale” to lift the Grand Slam of Darts trophy but says he might be a “bit old for it” now.

‘The Flying Scotsman’ has never failed to get out of the group phase at the major in his EIGHTEEN appearances.

But Ando’s latest campaign got off to a rocky start after a 5-3 defeat to German rising star Niko Springer, despite averaging a sizzling 99.88 at the WV Active Aldersley Leisure Centre.

Two-time World Champ Anderson insists his expectations are low this time around at the major event.

He said: “Yeah, it has been good. It is my favourite tournament out of the ones we play. It always has been.

“I’ve kind of bit the bullet now and thought I am a bit old for it.

“I can try, but some of these youngsters now, they are different gravy.

“It would be great to win it, but it would be a bit of a fairytale I think.”

Anderson faces a tough Group G featuring three-time champ Michael van Gerwen, women’s world No. 1 Beau Greaves and Springer.

World No. 13 Anderson hasn’t lifted a TV event crown since the Champions League of Darts back in 2018.

But Ando has flourished on the ProTour picking up the Players Championship 7 and European Darts Grand Prix titles this campaign.

The 54-year-old also reached the quarter-final of the World Grand Prix last month before falling 3-1 to Danny Noppert.