WADE CALLS FOR PDC TO POSTPONE EVENTS OVER EXTREME HEAT

JAMES WADE has called on the PDC to postpone events if players are forced to compete in extreme heat.

The world No6 spoke out after battling past Niels Zonneveld 6-4 to reach the third round of the European Darts Open in Leverkusen.

Wade, 43, progressed despite producing a performance below his usual high standards, averaging under 90 in the sweltering conditions inside the Ostermann Arena.

The Aldershot slinger believes players deserve greater consideration when temperatures soar and suggested tournaments should be delayed if necessary.

He said: "I think it gets to a point where the organisation need to respect the dart players a little bit and moving forwards, shouldn't have to play in heat like that.

"There is dart players that are entertaining the nation. Not me but some of the top boys. They entertain the nation throughout countless times.

"Then they are expected to go out there and play in that. That is not fair. It isn’t right I don’t think.

"Postpone it. Postpone events like this.

"Every dart player's aware of the heat here and it seems like people around the tournament haven't acknowledged what it is.

"All the time dart players are doing as they're told nothing will happen."

The Machine has had a brilliant campaign so far reaching the final of the UK Open for a second consecutive season and winning Players Championship One.

But the 11-time major winner is hoping to end a 10-year wait for European Tour glory when he takes on Jan Schmidt for a place in the quarter-finals this afternoon in Germany.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning