Chris Mason has raised an alarming theory on whether Michael van Gerwen would want to continue playing if he drops outside the top 20 in the world rankings. The three-time world champion is under huge threat of falling in the rankings, with a lot of money to defend, including earnings from the PDC World Darts Championship final two years ago. Mason told Online Darts: “He’s been a fabulous servant to our sport. He carried darts after Phil Taylor — not necessarily to a different level, but he carried it. We needed someone to take over, and Michael did that unbelievably well.”
Mason, who remembers van Gerwen from when he was 15 years old, noted the pressure the Dutchman has carried from a young age. “He’s carried the weight of being 'the governor' for a long time, from a very young age,” Mason said. “I don’t mind him having some time for himself and his kids, especially after what he’s been through with his marriage. He’s entitled to step away for a bit.” Mason added: “The beauty for him is he’s still young for a darts player. It’s not like he’s in his late 40s. Sometimes these young players don’t get to be young and enjoy their wealth and superstardom. I did that myself — without the wealth or superstardom — and I wasted the rest. Right now Michael isn’t the force he once was, but that doesn’t take away what he’s done for the sport.”
Mason compared van Gerwen’s situation to that of Peter Wright, saying: “We had the same conversation about Peter Wright and several others. No, I think Michael has too much pride. I don’t think he’d want to be the guy who just produces the odd good performance now and again.” He questioned whether van Gerwen is prepared to rediscover the hunger needed to get back to the top. “I’m not sure whether he’s prepared to rediscover that hunger. It’s like Marvin Hagler talking about 6am runs. Michael is wealthy enough now that he doesn’t have to do it. But listen, he’s done enough already. He can do whatever he wants and I wish him all the best.”
Mason acknowledged that van Gerwen’s eventual retirement is inevitable. “I do think there’ll be a moment where he says: What am I doing? How am I world number 20? How am I losing to players who, predominantly, shouldn’t lace my boots? But that happens. Nothing lasts forever. Either way, he’s been incredible.” He also highlighted the emergence of young talent like world number one Luke Littler, saying: “Now that pressure is on Luke Littler’s shoulders, and he doesn’t seem to have a care in the world, which is fabulous.” Mason concluded: “But I don’t see him being the kind of player who hangs around as world number 21, losing early every week. He’s got too much pride for that.”
