Michael van Gerwen is able to put his “worst year ever” to mattress by beginning 2026 with a fourth World Darts Championship title.
MVG’s 2025 spotlight got here when he received the World Collection Finals by beating Luke Littler within the ultimate having defeated Josh Rock within the semi-finals and Luke Humphries within the quarters.
Nevertheless, it has been a tricky 12 months personally following the tip of his marriage.
The Dutchman has been open on how robust it has been since and whereas it has not been his worst 12 months form-wise, it has been one which has taken its toll and seen him miss the World Cup of Darts.
However now, he has his sights firmly set on Alexandra Palace, a stage on which he has all the time thrived, as he appears to make himself a four-time world champion.
“I have had a tough year, probably my worst year ever,” Van Gerwen mentioned.
“However nonetheless, final 12 months I feel my kind was worse than it’s now and I nonetheless want to search out it.
“Things were happening in the past, you can’t change it anymore. The only thing you can change is the future.
“I used to have a spouse who helped me with issues, however now when I’ve the children, I’ve to take care of them. So I’ve to regulate myself just a little bit.
“My kids are always priority number one.”
Hunter vs the hunted? It doesn’t scare MVG!
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Michael van Gerwen and Danny Noppert commerce ton-plus finishes and two ‘Large Fishes’ in presumably the perfect session of darts ever
In a distinguished profession, Van Gerwen has develop into accustomed to being the one to chase down. Nevertheless over latest years, Humphries and Littler have been on high with MVG sitting at No 3 on the earth.
Whereas many favor being the underdog, for Van Gerwen, stress excites him.
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Highlights of the Grand Slam of Darts match between Michael van Gerwen and Beau Greaves
“Of course, it’s always nice to chase someone, it is easier than being hunted,” MVG added.
“I don’t mind being talked about whereas they (other players) don’t like the pressure. I had the pressure for the last 20 years.
“It would not hassle me. It has (helped me performed my greatest) up to now, so I hope it does sooner or later.”
Time for world title No 4?
Whereas the Dutchman is glad underneath stress, he does admit that it has been too lengthy in between World Darts Championship wins, his most up-to-date coming in 2019.
He has been in three finals since, dropping to Peter Wright, Michael Smith and most lately Luke Littler.
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Talking on the Love The Darts podcast, Michael Bridge and Paul Nicholson focus on Michael van Gerwen’s World Collection of Darts Finals win and what it might imply for him
“Yes, of course. We have had a lot of things in between,” Van Gerwen mentioned.
“We had coronavirus, we had a couple of other good dart players, a couple of mistakes by myself. Things like that can happen, so you need to make sure you keep being sharp and you’re not allowed to make mistakes. That’s how it is.
“It is for the individuals to evaluate, are you aware what I imply? I do know what I am able to and after I’m sharp and after I can do good issues, I can play. I can nonetheless get to that degree, I do know that. Kike I mentioned, you need to do the suitable factor on the proper second within the World Championships.”
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live from December 11 to January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel (Sky channel 407 from December 10). Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.
