Michael van Gerwen has grown weary of constant comparisons to his former glory days and believes it’s time to unleash a fresh era of darting dominance. The three-time world champion is battling to rediscover his peak form following a turbulent period both on and away from the oche.
Van Gerwen has been forced to adapt to life beyond the sport after his split from former spouse Daphne, whilst erratic performances have plagued his stage appearances. He is repeatedly questioned about whether the vintage MVG has returned whenever he produces a clinical display. This happened once more following his impressive second-round victory over William O’Connor at the World Darts Championship, prompting a swift retort.
He said: “I get so sick of ‘the old Michael Van Gerwen’. Maybe we start with a new Michael Van Gerwen, yeah?”
Van Gerwen also dismissed suggestions he’s now considered an outsider, responding with a sardonic grin: “Such an underdog… ask the other players.”
It was classic MVG behaviour, demonstrating he can be just as devastating with his words as with his arrows, as shown when he advised Peter Wright to hang up his darts.
However, there’s genuine substance behind his confidence, as with fresh tungsten in hand for his triumph over the Irishman and plans to continue with them against Arno Merk on Sunday, opponents may need to start fearing him once more.
“I hope so,” he said. “If I play what I delivered [against O’Connor], I know I can do some really good damage.
“Not only here, but also the rest of the year. You need to see everything as a big journey. It’s not a sprint. It’s a big marathon. Simple as that.
“I’m feeling good, It’s been a long run. Of course, everyone knows I had a really tough year on and off the oche and you need to try to put your shoulders underneath it and move on. And that’s the only thing I can do.
“I always say the World Championships is a different animal and you have to prepare yourself in a really good way to make sure you’re going to do some damage here. I feel good. I feel comfortable, But I don’t care about anyone else, to be fair.”
Van Gerwen’s performance against O’Connor was a stark contrast to his first-round struggles against Japan’s Mitsuhiko Tatsunami.
He explained: “I think the pressure is different in the first round because no-one wants to lose in the first round. And a different kind of player. But now I think I’m in it and we’re going to see what’s going to happen. I think this journey can keep continuing.
“Of course, I had a word with myself, but that’s the way our darts goes sometimes and there was, of course, a lot of pressure. There’s always a lot of pressure on the first round. I made too many mistakes there on and off the oche, but after that, I think I reset myself and put myself in a good position.”