Van Gerwen admits he needed the LOO during final!

MICHAEL van Gerwen admitted he was desperate for the LOO during the World Grand Prix final.

The Dutchman won his sixth title with a 5-3 victory over Nathan Aspinall in Leicester on Sunday night.

But Van Gerwen, 33, revealed that he had stomach cramps and a need for an urgent comfort break as his rival fought back from 4-0 down to 4-3. 

He revealed: “Halfway through the match I suddenly got severe stomach cramps, from then on it was really literally and figuratively playing with clenched buttocks.

“It was also awkward, the crowd put themselves fully behind Aspinall and started booing me. So you see him getting stronger set after set. Fortunately, I then did the right things at the right time to still take the win.

“I think my performance in this tournament has been absolutely incredible. 

“My confidence was there, my spirit to fight was there. In the final I had a little bit of stomach problems.

“You need to make sure you keep your focus going. It wasn’t that easy but you have to deal with that in the moment. 

“I did switch off big time. But I dealt with it and that’s the only thing that matters for me. 

“Early doors in the game I absolutely smashed him but he came back really well. But I had stomach problems and that’s what I told Nathan.”

Van Gerwen once again hit out at rival Peter Wright for having a “big mouth” and believes he is the rightful favourite to win the Worlds in early January. 

He added: “Peter Wright had such a big mouth throughout the tournament but he never turned up against me. 

“As long as the other guys have a big mouth, I just do my thing and hopefully can win more tournaments. 

“Of course I’m favourite for the World Championship and they all know I’m favourite. But I need to make sure I keep this performance going.

“I tell everyone the truth, I don’t care whether it’s good. If you can tell yourself the truth, you can look at yourself in the mirror. 

“There’s more to come. Even in a bad year like I’ve had now, I’ve won most of the important tournaments.

“The trophies are the property of me, they all know they are my property. But I need to make sure I keep doing that. I can say whatever I want in my interviews but I need to show it on the stage.”

Pictures by Kieran Cleeves/PDC.