Adrian Lewis has revealed his difficulties with the sticky conditions at the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, being forced to change his throwing technique as he melted in the summer heat.
The world No3 sunk to defeat at the semi-final stage on Friday against eventual winner Michael van Gerwen, on a day in which the temperatures topped 40°C.
The difficulty for the darts player was increased by the fact the event is the only one on the calendar to be played in the open air.
With humidity still rife at Dubai Tennis Stadium by night fall, heavyset two-time world champion Lewis struggled to cope.
The 29-year-old – who is in the early stages of a new fitness regime – was forced to hold his arrows by the flight, rather than the metal grip because of the sweat.
“At 5-5 I should have been leading the game by far, but he took his chances well,” he said. “Normally my hands never sweat. It was so hot out there tonight.
“I kept wiping my hands down. It was forcing me to throw from the back of the dart at the flights and hoping for the best.
“They were dipping so much, and sitting right up. Fair play to Michael, he took full advantage as soon as he knew my darts were going at all angles.
“It just shows, you have to be fit. That is my aim now," he added.
“Hopefully, when I come out next year I will be a lot fitter and not have sweaty hands.”
Fellow competitor Dave Chisnall fell in the last-four, losing 11-8 to Peter ‘Snakebite Wright’. The taciturn darts player expressed his difficulties coping with the searing Dubai heat.
The 33-year-old said: “It was a lot hotter than last night. I am not blaming the heat, but I was sweating all the time.
“I was made up to be here, as I have never been. It is a beautiful place that is just a bit too hot for me.”
