A legendary darts player has ruled himself out of competing in next year's Premier League, even if he wins the PDC World Darts Championship.
The action at Alexandra Palace in London begins on Thursday, with a record 128 players entering the competition.
Reigning champion Luke Littler arrives as the strong favourite, having recently claimed the world number one spot.
He will feature on the opening night, taking on Lithuania's Darius Labanauskas.
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Among those hoping to stop him is two-time world champion Gary Anderson.
The Scotsman, who is currently ranked 14th in the PDC Order of Merit, will open his campaign at Ally Pally on Saturday afternoon against Adam Hunt.
Anderson faced Hunt earlier this year, losing 6-5 at Players Championship 18 and he is well aware of the threat Hunt poses.
Speaking to Online Darts, he said: “Adam is a good little player.
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"And the first round? The same for everyone. “Every player, Van Gerwen, Humphries, they always say the first game is the most nervous game.
"You’ve got to get past that first game.”
Despite never losing in the opening round of a world championship, Anderson has not progressed beyond the fourth round in his last three attempts.
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He has spent December preparing for the tournament by participating in several exhibitions to sharpen up.
Even if he were to win the world title for the first time since 2016 and rise to world number two, he insists it would not tempt him back to the Premier League.
Anderson has won the Premier League on two occasions, but has not played in the weekly competition since 2022.
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He ruled out a return, pointing to the demands of a schedule where players rotate across the UK and Europe over several months.
“Even if I win the Worlds and I went to number two, I couldn’t do it," he said.
"Sixteen weeks is a long time. People think it’s one night. It’s not one night. Wednesday you’re travelling, Thursday you’re playing, Friday you’re trying to get home.”
Although a third world title would not change his stance on the Premier League, Anderson admitted it could bring him a step closer to retirement.
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Asked for a scenario that might prompt him to take a break, he said a world title could be the moment to take a year away from the sport.
However, he stressed he has no intention of retiring while he retains a strong PDC ranking.
Topics: Darts, Luke Littler, World Darts Championship
James Taylor