Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle has told Adrian Lewis he did not win enough trophies in darts despite lifting two World Championships.
At his peak, Lewis was the world number two and was seen as the heir to Phil Taylor’s throne along with Michael van Gerwen.
Despite reaching 11 individual major finals, he has only added a European Championship and UK Open to his World Championships.
‘Jackpot’ last lifted a major a decade ago and Mardle called Lewis an ‘underachiever’ compared to his rivals.
Wayne Mardle did not hold back to Adrian Lewis
Speaking on his Club 501 YouTube channel, Mardle delivered the hard truth to the 39-year-old.
He said: “I just look at what people have won. To watch, you’re a joy to watch, so is Gary [Anderson], so is Michael Smith, so is [Michael] Van Gerwen, but when I look at what people have won, your accomplishments spring to mind and I just think it seems unfair.”
Lewis agreed with the pundit and added that Phil Taylor was to blame for his lack of success.
He responded: “You’ve got a case.
“The amount of times I played Phil in finals, I probably made another 12, 13 major finals.
“I lost to Phil averaging 108, averaging over 100 and losing so it is what it is.”
Lewis also admitted: “I got lazy to be honest with you, I got lazy with it.”
Mardle is correct – Lewis should have won more
It’s strange to say a double World Champion has underachieved but it’s an opinion shared by many in the darting world.
Lewis seemed primed to step into the void Taylor was leaving after winding down his own career, and his performances suggested he was ready to take that mantle.
Many have fallen victim to ‘The Power’s’ dominance and as the great man eventually decided to hang up the darts, ‘Mighty’ Michael van Gerwen had already filled the gap.
The peak of Lewis’ powers has been reached by few players and his title haul is disproportionate to the ability and promise shown in his early years.
The Stoke-on-Trent man still has time on his side, however.
He is only 39 years old and if he can rediscover his form, Lewis will be hoping to right a few wrongs from early in his career.
‘Jackpot’ announced a sensational return to the sport last week and if he can rediscover a fraction of his form of yesteryear, more majors could yet loom on the horizon.