Gian van Veen has admitted he is sensing an upturn in form as the Premier League Darts finals night draws closer, declaring: “I still stand a chance of reaching the final. A few weeks ago I didn’t have that feeling.” The world number three, who debuted in the PDC World Darts Championship final a few months ago, has been hampered by surgery and a recent rough patch, but believes confidence is returning.
“I think I was in a rough patch for a while,” van Veen said. “In response, you try even harder, but that can also backfire, and I have certainly experienced that recently.” He acknowledged the increased pressure that comes with his status: “Of course, I feel more pressure than last year. Back then, I was twentieth in the world; everything I did was a bonus. Now, as number three in the world, I have to perform. That is a big difference.”
Van Veen has been experimenting with new darts to gain an edge. “I’ve been throwing with different darts for a week or two now, and it feels good,” he commented. “I had wanted to do this for a while, but especially last year everything just kept going well. … A few weeks ago, I had run out of confidence, and I saw that as the perfect moment to switch.”
After 13 league nights, van Veen sits fifth in the standings with 16 points, just two points behind seven-time champion Michael van Gerwen. He has reached the weekly final on four occasions but is yet to win a night. “That is at least one positive thing from this year, although I would have liked to be closer,” he said. “I think I can look back on the Premier League so far as okay. … It is also about time I had a win; that would be really nice in terms of points as well.”
Van Veen also addressed his incident with world number one Luke Littler in Manchester, stating: “I don’t feel I need to approach him, because I am of the opinion that I haven’t done anything wrong. … I think Luke is a fine guy, but we will never become best friends, and that is perfectly fine.” Night 14 takes place at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, where van Veen faces Stephen Bunting in a pivotal match.
