James Wade let slip an expletive during the Players Championship 8 on Tuesday after becoming frustrated with a noisy oche during his match against Tommy Morris, reports BritPanorama.
The 42-year-old, known as The Machine, dispatched Morris 6-2 but found his concentration disrupted by creaking floorboards at the throwing line.
Wade was caught on camera raising the issue with the match referee following his victory. His colourful complaint came just 24 hours after he marked a significant milestone at Players Championship 7, where he became the first player to reach 1,000 match victories at Players Championship events.
Filmed informing the official about the noise, Wade stated, “It’s squeaking like f***.” He then paced back and forth across the oche, attempting to locate the source of the irritating sound. When the referee confirmed he had also noticed the discrepancy, Wade wondered if his own movements were causing the issue.
The official advised him to stick to his usual routine and consider some practice throws. Wade mentioned he had been trying to avoid the problematic area, prompting the referee’s promise to address the matter with tournament officials.
Wade’s milestone achievement at Players Championship 7 came after comfortably defeating German competitor Lukas Wenig with a convincing 6-1 scoreline. This victory underscored his position in the sport, having competed at the highest level for over two decades.
Despite losing to Cristo Reyes later on Tuesday, the defeat could not overshadow his pride in reaching such a remarkable landmark. Wade’s performance solidifies his status as one of the most consistent competitors on the professional darts circuit.
Taking to social media platform X, Wade reflected on his historic achievement, stating, “After winning my first game today I became the first and only player to win 1,000 matches in the Players Championships Events. What an achievement and I feel really proud of that!!” He expressed gratitude to his supporters, friends, and management team.
Although he acknowledged that his loss to Reyes was not the desired outcome, Wade remained optimistic about his future prospects, confirming his intention to return to competition the following day.
In the competitive world of darts, Wade’s journey underscores the intersection of personal perseverance and the unpredictable nature of sport — each match echoing the highs and lows in a career defined by resilience and remarkable milestones.
