Gary Anderson Pulls Out Of PDC Home Darts Tour Because Of Slow WiFi

While working from home means we can avoid the morning commute and, more importantly, we don't have to get dressed, it also means many of us have to put up with super-slow internet.

For darts player Gary Anderson, it's so bad he's been forced to pull out of a tournament.

The 49-year-old was due to compete in the PDC Home Darts Tour - in which players participate remotely from their homes via video link. Unfortunately, he has had to back out of the tournament because his WiFi is just too slow.

To prove his point, the Scot shared a photo on Twitter showing just how bad his internet connection is. The snap showed an internet speed test which read: "Your internet connection should be able to handle one device at a time streaming a video.

"If multiple devices are using the connection at the same time, you may run into some congestion."

Speaking to the Sun, the two-time PDC World Champion said he wasn't surprised at all, but he was disappointed he would't be able to take part.

He said: "I was up for it but when we did tests of my WiFi, it's just not reliable enough.

"It doesn't surprise me. I struggle to pay bills online in my house, it's really frustrating.

"I did want to take part. It would have been something different to try and win."

Anderson was set to make his comeback at the tournament after struggling with back problems during 2019, which caused him to miss out on the Premier League season.

PA

He added: "It's unbelievable. Two years on the trot I've missed the opening few months.

"The most important thing is to be ready when the lockdown is over. It's the same for us all."

The PDC Home Tour will run for 32 consecutive nights, with four players competing each night in a league format. Matches are played as the best of nine legs.

Each match will be broadcast via live video calls on the PDC's own subscription TV channel.

Speaking about the format, PDC chairman Barry Hearn said it's a way of keeping fans entertained and players in their groove during lockdown.

He said: "This will provide a regular supply of live sport to fans. The event will also give players a chance to play competitive darts in this down period in preparation for the return to normal action, whenever that may be."

Topics: uk news, Coronavirus

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom