World Grand Prix 2025 Darts: Gary Anderson Names His Next Opponent as the Most Overlooked Player on Tour

Gary Anderson believes one of the sport’s most consistent performers doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, and it just so happens to be his next opponent.

The two-time world champion has rolled back the years at this year’s World Grand Prix, reaching his first quarter-final at the event since 2020. Anderson eased past Joe Cullen 3-0 in the second round, delivering a composed display despite the Yorkshireman’s struggles in the ‘double in, double out’ format. Cullen averaged just 68.05, while Anderson kept his standards high with a near-90 average to secure a comfortable victory.

The Most Overlooked Player in the PDC

But it was after the win that the Flying Scotsman made headlines, launching a passionate defence of one player he feels has long been underappreciated in the darting world, Dutch star Danny Noppert.

The 2022 UK Open champion will face Anderson in the quarter-finals, and in the Scot’s eyes, he’s the most overlooked player on the PDC circuit.

“Do you ever hear him get mentioned much?” Anderson asked the media after his win.

“Danny is the most overlooked player going. Danny Noppert is cracking.” 

“He’s like James Wade. He just plods on but if you give him a sniff he’s gonna take it.”

“He’s overlooked but he’s a classy, classy player. He might not be banging in your 115, 116 averages, but he's there, he's always knocking on the door. Great, great lad, tough lad. A nice lad as well, just a very, very, very strong player,” he told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

In the Shadow of Dutch Greats

Despite Noppert’s major title success and steady presence near the top of the PDC rankings, his achievements have often been overshadowed by the dominance of fellow Dutchman Michael van Gerwen and now the emergence of rising talent Gian van Veen.

When asked what Noppert needs to do to step out of those shadows and finally earn the wider recognition he deserves, Anderson’s answer was simple.

“Just gotta keep winning, and he does."

“If you look at any tournaments, he's always kicking about, isn't he? Quarter semis. Quarter semis. Very rarely does he get beat in the first round.”

As Anderson continues his quest for a third World Grand Prix crown, he’ll have to overcome the man he believes is quietly one of the best and most underappreciated players on tour, Danny Noppert.