Michael van Gerwen was left livid at the "amateur" conditions in Birmingham's Utilita Arena following a nightmare night for the Dutchman in the Premier League Darts.
'Mighty Mike' went into night eight leading the competition on 17 points, but in the opening match, was humbled 6-2 by James Wade. 'The Machine' went on to beat Joe Cullen in his final four match to set up a clash with Jonny Clayton.
It was the Welshman who then dominated the final, prevailing 6-1 to leave Wade as one of only two players, along with Michael Smith, without a tournament win in the new format. The result also took 'The Ferret' joint top of the table with van Gerwen.
But afterwards, it was the conditions that concerned the five-time Premier League champion most, as opposed to losing his outright lead. "Besides the fact that I didn't start sharp, it was very cold in the hall and the draft was obviously bothering me," he said to Viaplay , translated from Dutch.
"Wade said it to me before the match and also after the match. I can't get into my own rhythm, it is even more annoying. The PDC should do something about this, because this is just very amateur."
However, the 32-year-old insisted he wasn't using the icy chill as a reason for his poor result against Wade. "No, of course I'm not saying this as an excuse, because the circumstances are the same for everyone," he added.
"But it has to be good for all of us. Of course I'm underperforming here, but I'm not just failing here, the PDC is too."
It's not the first time that Van Gerwen has been left unhappy by outside factors affecting his game this year. His tilt at the 2022 PDC World Championships was ended when he tested positive for Covid, scuppering his chances of becoming a four-time champion at the Alexandra Palace.
Winner Clayton however, had no complaints in Birmingham. "You have to play your best darts throughout the competition and that is pretty much the best that I can throw so I am happy," he said in his post-final interview.
"Tonight was my night and that's it. I just felt really, really comfortable as the crowd were brilliant and my darts went brilliantly so what more can I ask for."
There are still eight more Premier League events to go before the top four head to Berlin for the finals in June. Next Thursday, players head to the Direct Arena in Leeds.
Further events in April take place in Manchester, Aberdeen, and Dublin, before league matches culminate in May with meetings in Glasgow, Sheffield, London, and Newcastle. The final play-offs are scheduled for June 13.
