Michael van Gerwen skipped the Players Championship double-header in Wigan this week, not just to prepare for the Premier League night in Rotterdam but after celebrating PSV's title and appearing at a party. Footage emerged online of the 36-year-old on stage with singer Mart Hoogkamer at the Rebirth Festival in Haaren, belting out a hit. His friend Vincent van der Voort reacted on the Darts Draait Door podcast, joking, "Now I have to watch what I say, otherwise I'll have his fan club after me saying it's fine and the lad should enjoy himself."
Van der Voort sent Van Gerwen a message with two pieces of advice: "One: 'You should never sing again,' and two: 'Never wear that swim cap again,'" referring to a bucket hat in the clip. He added, "Come on, that's not on. But he had an absolutely brilliant night. I'm fine with that. You can't say he doesn't enjoy a party. He's there anytime, anywhere." Van der Voort believes the three-time world champion is making up for missed experiences, noting, "You shouldn't forget that from the age of fifteen or sixteen he was only focused on darts. He never went out with his friends, was always thinking about the next tournament and the pressure that came with it. Now he has time to really let off steam, something he hasn't experienced all that time."
However, Van der Voort cautioned, "You have to hope this phase doesn't last too long. He's behaving a bit like a twenty-year-old going completely wild. At some point you hope he'll think that darts is his number one priority. But he's enjoying himself now, and I can grant him that." Van Gerwen returns to action this Thursday in the Premier League at Rotterdam Ahoy, facing Jonny Clayton, the number 1 in the standings. Van der Voort remarked, "For him, this is a bonus night. He's all but assured of the play-offs. He's throwing more freely," but added that if Van Gerwen gets past Clayton, he has a good chance to win the night, despite not winning in Ahoy since 2022.
In the same event, Gian van Veen makes his debut at Rotterdam Ahoy against Luke Humphries. Van der Voort said, "I think it will be a goosebumps moment. But also very difficult," citing the combination of a debutant, a heaving Ahoy, and pressure. He advised, "Get a leg on the board as quickly as possible. So you feel you're in the match. The longer that takes, the harder it gets." While Van Veen is the crowd favorite, Van der Voort stated, "I do think Humphries is playing better at the moment. I saw him recently on the Pro Tours — he's just playing well. Only at the key moments he falls short," offering chances for the Dutchman.
