WADE FACING CRITICISM FOR WALK-ON DRAMA
23/07/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
VINCENT VAN DER VOORT has called on the PDC to step in after James Wade’s slow walk-on during his World Matchplay win over Wessel Nijman.
‘The Machine’ is making his 20th consecutive appearance at the major and recorded a 10-3 triumph over Joe Cullen in round one to show he is a genuine title threat.
World No. 8 Wade averaged a stellar 102.53 and nailed three ton-plus checkouts to ease into his 13th quarter-final at the Winter Gardens with an 11-5 victory over Nijman.
But former UK Open finalist Van der Voort voiced his frustration at Wade’s glacial pace to the oche and believes it is a sign of bad sportsmanship.
He said on the Darts Draait podcast: “He knows exactly what he’s doing. From walking up to the oche to waiting at the board… it’s all strategy.
“It lasted almost a minute and a half.
“The PDC needs to do something about that. You’re supposed to walk straight to the stage when your music starts. No more autograph sessions.”
Chris Mason weighed in separately on talkSPORT and explained the tactic is classic mind games from Wade.
He added: “It’s mind games. He is just playing the game.
“James knows Wessel is up there first, so he is going to make him hang about and think and think.
“Then Wessel will be thinking come on mate let’s play the game.”
10-times major winner Wade will face Gian van Veen in the last eight at Blackpool.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
