Simon Whitlock and his son Mason don't see eye to eye on everything in the darts world. In a striking conversation on the MODUS Super Series, father and son were put opposite each other with various statements about the sport. While they agreed on some points, clear differences emerged too. From the current ranking system to the sport's future and Australia's much-debated defeat at the 2012 World Cup of Darts, the Whitlocks refused to be boxed into one camp.
One of the first statements addressed how the darts world ranking is compiled. The claim that the ranking system should not be based on prize money met little support from Simon Whitlock — who will be in action soon at the World Series of Darts Finals. "I think what they've done in the past 20 years has been correct," the Australian replied. Mason initially disagreed, but then said he actually believes the ranking system should be based on earnings. In the end, father and son aligned on the current method.
The conversation also turned to the future at the very top, inevitably bringing up the exceptional dominance of players like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. Simon Whitlock sees how hard it is nowadays to rule the sport for years on end. "I just think it's going to be almost impossible with the quality of players to win, especially 16 world titles. I just don't think anyone will ever do that again," said Whitlock. Mason was a touch more optimistic, pointing out that age can be a decisive factor. "I think Littler will do it, precisely because of his age," he said. At the same time, he stressed talent alone won't be enough. "No, he's definitely got the ability. After so many years, he's got to play," Simon added.
When the focus shifted to Australia, father and son were again critical but positive about their homeland's possibilities. According to Mason, Australian darts is sometimes underrated, mainly because the country has fewer big tournaments and leagues than, for example, Germany and other European nations. "I think it's a bit underrated, just because we haven't got a lot of players coming through like a lot of other countries, like Germany and a lot of the European countries," said Mason. Simon mainly looked at the gap between the absolute elite and the rest of the Australian field. "I just think the top Australians compared to, I'd say, there's about 20 great Australian players right now. Compare them to the mid-ranked and lower-ranked Australians, I think the gap is so high," said Simon.
Naturally, a lighter question had to feature too. The Whitlocks were asked whether Mason would throw a nine-darter in the MODUS Super Series before his father Simon. Mason could laugh at that. "I'm just going to say I feel like I'm trying a bit better. I might get one before him, but you never know, he might go and sneak one." Simon could agree with that. "I'm agreeing. I just think, yeah, you could pull one any time. It's just one leg." Mason then made clear he was mainly trying to test his dad psychologically. "I'm just getting in his head, really." For now, the tally was still at zero, Mason said. "I haven't got any yet," he admitted with a laugh.
Simon and Mason were strikingly aligned on one topic: the huge impact Luke Littler has had on darts. "What Luke Littler has done in the past few years and how he's boosted the sport, and all these new kids coming in, it's ridiculous how good," said Mason. Simon fully agreed. "The viewership as well, it's massive," he noted. Mason summed it up neatly: "Just the Luke Littler effect."
The most striking statement in the conversation concerned the 2012 World Cup of Darts. It was suggested that Paul Nicholson was to blame for Australia's elimination. The Whitlocks reacted instantly. "Oh my God," came the response. Even so, Mason did not want to hold Nicholson fully responsible for the defeat. "I didn't put strongly disagree because of the pressure he must have been under, especially having the first three match darts." Then came an important caveat. "But, of course, Dad also missed three match darts," Mason noted. Simon could hardly claim Nicholson was the sole culprit. "I can't help but disagree," he said. His reasoning was simple. "I'm just agreeing because he had first shot and he missed. I didn't expect to get another shot, and I probably shouldn't have got another shot." "Sorry, Paul," Simon concluded with a wink.
