VAN DUIJVENBODE OPENS UP ON FAMILY STRUGGLE AFTER STUNNING MVG

DIRK VAN DUIJVENBODE admits he is struggling to be away from his young children whilst competing at the World Matchplay.

The world No27 stunned three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen 14-12 in a gripping second-round showdown at the Winter Gardens.

Van Duijvenbode, 34, has now reached the quarter-final of a televised Premier event in each of the SEVEN seasons since regaining his Tour Card in 2020.

But the Dutchman admitted spending almost a week without his young family has taken its toll.

He told talkSPORT: “The crowd is great because it is so close and the crowd are all darts fans. But I mean, for me, I have a kid of zero and a kid of two.

“I am being away from them. You are playing Thursday, so that will mean I have been away six or seven days from my kids.

“It’s not a downside. I just hope that they are soon four, but I know how many years it takes.

“Then I can bring them and they can have a nice time here as well. Obviously, then you are not away for as many days from them.”

Van Duijvenbode overcame the challenge of compatriot Van Gerwen despite admitting the pressure almost got the better of him.

He added: “Michael came back because I started shaking, completely afraid like a little child crying for his mum and I am happy in the end that I just won it.

“When I am behind you don’t shake.

“When you are in front you shake because you are like, ‘Oh I might win.’

“But when you are behind you are like, ‘I need to play well otherwise I am out.’

“It is a different mindset.

“When I went on the double eight on my last dart that was a lucky dart but it was in. That is all that counts.”

The Aubergenius now faces Gary Anderson for a place in the semi-finals and is expecting another classic between the pair.

He continued: “I love Gary. He is one of the nicest people in the world apart from when he talks to the press.

“To me he is very nice. When me and Gary play we try and do our best.

“Sometimes you have amazing games and sometimes the games are not so amazing.

“At least we always have tense games. I think I played him in the UK Open this year as well and he hit a 107 average and I hit 104.

“So, most of the times we play great games. I am looking forward to it as well.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning