VAN GERWEN OPENS UP ON SHOULDER PROBLEM AFTER MATCHPLAY EXIT

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN revealed he was struck with unexpected shoulder pain during his World Matchplay exit.

The three-time world champ suffered a 14-12 second-round defeat to Dirk van Duijvenbode at the Winter Gardens after struggling to find his rhythm throughout the contest.

Van Gerwen, 37, looked visibly uncomfortable on stage and was repeatedly seen adjusting his arm as he battled through the issue.

The Dutchman admitted the problem affected his throw and performance in Blackpool.

He told Viaplay: “I’m quite irritated. You actually lose this match purely through your own incompetence.

“Right before the match I felt pain in my shoulder. I don’t know where it came from, but it annoyed me enormously during the game.

“That really shouldn’t happen. Once it’s there, you can’t get around it.

“I couldn’t get my arm properly loose. You want your first darts to feel good so you build confidence.

“If that doesn’t happen, you start getting annoyed.”

Mighty Mike has failed to reach a quarter-final at the opening four major ranking events of the season for the first time since 2011.

Van Gerwen has also dropped outside the world’s top five for the first time since 2012.

MVG refused to point the finger elsewhere and took full responsibility for another early departure on the big stage.

He added: “Dirk is a good player. You have to deal with him too.

“If you put him under full pressure, he can crumble, but you have to force that. I did my best, but unfortunately it didn’t work out.

“If I lose to Dirk, I always blame myself for that. This one hurts a lot. Absolutely.

“Because it wasn’t necessary. If he had outclassed me, it would be a different story.

“But that didn’t happen. That’s why you can hold yourself accountable for this.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning