Michael van Gerwen is not having the season he hoped for. The 37-year-old Dutchman bowed out in the first round of the World Grand Prix and makes no secret of how much that disappointment stings. Yet the three-time world champion refuses to feel sorry for himself. During his latest YouTube livestream, Van Gerwen spoke candidly about his current form, his ambitions, and the competition. A special memory of Phil Taylor also came up.
Van Gerwen began by reflecting on his World Grand Prix exit. In Leicester he lost 2-1 to Ryan Joyce, meaning he failed to get past the first round for the third year running. On top of that, he did not reach a single quarter-final at the first five majors of the year. Away from ranking events, 'Mighty Mike' has also endured setbacks this season. He finished sixth in the Premier League, while at the World Series of Darts Finals he went out in the opening round to Daryl Gurney. Van Gerwen had six match darts, but could not convert any of them.
That doubles problem also hurt him at the World Grand Prix. Van Gerwen knows exactly what he needs to work on in the coming weeks. "I want to say something. Of course I'd rather be in Leicester as well. When you miss so many doubles you should go back on the practise board," said Van Gerwen on stream. "I'm annoyed as much as you about the Grand Prix because I should not have lost that one. It's really annoying. But I am working hard and I want to make sure I keep investing time in myself to make sure I come back stronger."
The Dutchman is channeling the frustration into extra practice hours. "I'm practising really hard to be fair. Of course it has to do with confidence and everything. It's not easy but I am getting there, don't worry. Of course I had a tough period but never give up, keep battling." The three-time world champion also knows he needs plenty of match play in the coming period. Van Gerwen has slipped to ninth in the world rankings and wants to play as many tournaments as possible to climb back up. "I have to play more and more tournaments for my ranking. Let's see how it goes."
According to Van Gerwen, things can turn very quickly in darts. One good week can be enough to restore full confidence. "Do you know one tournament win everything will change. That's how it works. So quickly can it go. Then let the haters be the haters." Van Gerwen currently risks dropping out of the world's top 10.
During the same stream, Van Gerwen was also asked about his practice sessions and the most consecutive 180s he has ever thrown. That took him back to a special moment nearly twenty years ago, when he and Vincent van der Voort were watching Phil Taylor. "The most 180s I hit in a row? Four or five. But I can tell you a story. Me and Vincent back in the day, I think it has to be like 18 years ago. We were sitting on a chair and we were watching Phil Taylor practise. We saw him practising and he hit a 180, 180."
Taylor simply kept aiming at treble 20 and, in the end, Van Gerwen and Van der Voort saw the 16-time world champion produce six maximums on the spin. "We thought he was going for the nine-darter, no 180. Maybe now then? No, another 180. We saw him hit six 180s in a row. It was absolutely insane. I think the maximum I did in a row was four or something."
With his sixteen world titles, Taylor remains the most successful player in World Championship history. Van Gerwen has lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy three times, in 2014, 2017, and 2019. Yet he expects another player to surpass him in the future. Van Gerwen believes Luke Littler has the qualities to win at least five world titles. "We all know Littler is a good player. We all know that. Of course I think as well he is going to be a five-time world champion minimum."
How many world crowns Littler can win ultimately depends on the length of his career, Van Gerwen adds. "Depends how long he is going to play, of course. But minimum five with his capability." That does not mean Van Gerwen plans to step aside for the new generation without a fight. Despite his current rough patch, the Dutchman remains convinced of his own ability. "But don't worry, I am there to stop him," he concluded in a clear message.
