Gary Anderson insists he is focused solely on the task ahead as he prepares to face Jermaine Wattimena in round three of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship on Sunday.
The two-time World Champion continued his title challenge with a superb 3-1 victory over Connor Scutt, averaging almost 106 to set up a showdown against Wattimena.
However, despite producing a strong all-round display, Anderson insisted there was still room for improvement in patches of his game.
“Anything’s good nowadays,” reflected Anderson. “There were a couple of legs, a good half dozen throws were 60 and under, so the average could have been better!
“I felt good. First set I was scoring well, I couldn’t hit a double, but the second set started to go on. When you start hitting doubles, the confidence goes up a bit.”
Anderson’s reward for his victory is a meeting with Wattimena, who has enjoyed a strong spell on the PDC circuit over the last two seasons, and the Scot is under no illusions about the challenge that awaits.
“Jermaine over the last 18 to 24 months, he’s been absolutely fantastic over the last two years, so that’s another hard one,” admitted Anderson.
Despite approaching his mid-50s, Anderson continues to dismiss suggestions that the modern game belongs solely to younger players, insisting his motivation remains strong.
“Just winning a game nowadays is good, but yeah it can be done,” he added. “People think it’s a young man’s game – it’s not, I can still do it.”
The world number 14 also revealed how time spent practising away from the stage with his son Tai has helped keep him sharp, both physically and mentally.
“We came up on Saturday, me and Tai have been in the room for the last three days,” Anderson explained.
“He’s been dragging me out for a throw playing the 121 game – he’s addicted! It’s got me out the room instead of just sitting there.”
Anderson boasts an astonishing record in the sport’s showpiece event, with only Michael van Gerwen - who he could potentially meet in the last 16 - boasting more wins on the Alexandra Palace stage.
While Anderson has enjoyed one of the most decorated careers in the sport, he insists expectations are something he no longer allows to weigh heavily on him.
“We can’t play well all the time,” added Anderson, who won back-to-back titles in 2014/15 and 2015/16.
“People think we’re robots. Sometimes these things happen, but it’ll pick up, it’ll get better.”
2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Sunday December 28
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Round Three
Martin Schindler v Ryan Searle
Damon Heta v Rob Cross
Gary Anderson v Jermaine Wattimena
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Round Three
Gian van Veen v Madars Razma
Luke Humphries v Gabriel Clemens
Michael van Gerwen v Arno Merk
Best of Seven Sets