Darts star 'didn't like' opponent celebrating too much during enthralling WDC win

Darts star 'didn't like' opponent celebrating too much during enthralling WDC win

WATCH NOW: World Darts Championship preview

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 18/12/2023

- 10:49

The tournament is set to run for the next two weeks

Darts star Matt Campbell has admitted he didn't like the overzealous celebrations of rival Lourence Ilagan during their enthralling match on Saturday.

The pair met in the first round of the World Darts Championship, which is due to run until January 3.


Campbell was originally 2-0 up, only for his opponent to come roaring back.

Ilagan played up to the Alexandra Palace crowd, with his celebrations irking Campbell in the process.

Darts Matt Campbell

Darts star Matt Campbell has opened up after his victory over Lourence Ilagan

GETTY

And the Canadian has now admitted he didn't like Ilagan's behaviour, though admitted he's done it himself in the past.

"After I won the first two I thought maybe I'd win the next set but it didn't work out that way," he said in his post-match press conference.

"I felt the pressure from the first three darts.

"I put more pressure on myself than anyone can.

"Thankfully, I got through."

He then added: "I don't like that stuff [the celebrations] but I've done it.

"In those moments, you've just got to let it out so fair play to him, he let it out, came back and still played strong.

"I'd rather just throw my darts and get it over with but if it's a big shot, 100 per cent let it out.

"With the cameras around it's what were supposed to do so I can't fault anybody."

Next up for Campbell is a clash with James Wade.

And the 34-year-old has revealed he'll be taking Wade seriously when they lock horns.

"It's James Wade. I can't relax against him at any time," he added.

"I'm always going to have that bit of pressure, just hopefully I'm able to control it."

Not that he feels the pressure, however.

"It's not like I'm a world champion. I've lost four times in a row so there's no pressure on me to win the first one!" he joked.

Darts Matt Campbell

Darts star Matt Campbell 'didn't like' the celebrations of Lourence Ilagan

GETTY

Meanwhile, one big surprise from the weekend was a defeat for Fallon Sherrock.

The 29-year-old was beaten by Jermaine Wattimena in the first round of the World Championship on Sunday.

And Sherrock has admitted she's 'gutted' after failing to make it into round two.

"Obviously, I'm gutted with the result," she lamented.

"I had spells when I played well tonight but I missed chances at key moments and they cost me.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

"Full credit to Jermaine, he was the better player on the night and he punished me when I missed chances."

You may like