DARTS ACE ADMITS VAN GERWEN LOOKS LIKE A DEAD MAN WALKING
16/07/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has been slammed as a “dead man walking” on the big stage by Vincent van der Voort.
Three-times World Champion Van Gerwen shock withdrawal from the European Tour event in Kiel last weekend has fuelled speculation about his form heading into the World Matchplay.
World No. 3 Van Gerwen has failed to make it past the quarter-final in the last two World Series events at the US Masters and Poland Darts Masters.
Former pro and close friend Van der Voort reckons the break was badly needed after a series of “poor” performances from ‘Mighty Mike’.
He said: “After the World Series events in New York and Poland, we sat down and talked a lot. Those tournaments were a real disappointment – in fact, they were pretty poor.
“So the question became: do you just keep blindly turning up and playing?
“We decided that, at that moment, training and rest were more important than squeezing in another event.
“He’s done a lot of practice, that’s for sure. I think it was the better choice.
“He’s learned not to pull out too early anymore – that’s bitten him a few times this year.
“And as for a fine? He really couldn’t care less.”
47-times major winner Van Gerwen faces a blockbuster all-Dutch first-round clash with old rival Raymond van Barneveld at the Winter Gardens — 16 years after ‘Barney’ battered him 10-3 at the same venue.
Van der Voort added: “Neither of them will be happy with that draw. But a matchup like that is guaranteed to put both of them on high alert from the very start.”
‘The Dutch Destroyer’ delivered a damning verdict on MVG’s recent presence at the oche and claimed he has lost the swagger that once terrified opponents.
He revealed: “He used to be full of energy – bouncing around like a rubber ball.
“Now it’s completely different. I can tell the moment he walks on stage: if it’s a slow, lifeless entrance without any presence, I already know what kind of game it’s going to be.
“Especially lately, he’s looked like a shadow of himself – like a dead man walking.”
Van Gerwen has not won a ranked televised major since 2022 at the Players Championship Finals.
The 36-year-old also failed to qualify for the Premier League Play-Offs for just the second time in 13 appearances this year.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
