VAN GERWEN RETURNS AFTER MONTH AWAY FROM DARTS

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN admits he now has “space in his head” to return to the oche after a turbulent month away from the sport.  

Three-times World Champion Van Gerwen has been absent from darts for a short spell after taking time away from the game following the public announcement last month of a separation from wife Daphne.   

‘Mighty Mike’ will make a comeback to the competitive PDC scene at the Word Series event at Madison Square Garden this upcoming weekend.   

The Dutchman says he is now ready to return to the big stage.  

He said: “Everything is kind of under control now 

“I have space in my head again to return to the oche. Darts at the highest level is what I love to do the most. 

“Everyone knows it’s been a very eventful period for me. But you can’t dwell on the past. I have to move on. 

“I have to work again and find pleasure in what I’m doing again.” 

47-times major winner Van Gerwen has been under the spotlight in recent weeks but wants to keep his personal life a private matter. 

He added: “A lot of people ask me things, but this is a private matter.  

“Nobody has anything to do with that. What people think about it doesn’t affect me.  

“The most important thing for me is that things are good for my children. 

“Whether I look left or right, it’s all over social media. It’s actually too crazy for words, but it’s part of it. 

“What people say doesn’t affect me anymore. This is not the first storm I’ve experienced.” 

World No. 3 Van Gerwen revealed he was hounded by the press in the Netherlands.  

He explained: “All of a sudden they were at my door from RTL Boulevard, while I was picking up my kids from school.  

“They said they happened to be in the neighborhood – yes, of course. What they were doing in Vlijmen? No idea.  

“But I don’t care much about that. I just want to do what is best for myself. From that position I can show great things again.” 

MVG’s return will see him hunt success in the United States for a third time having won the Big Apple tournament on two previous occasions.   

‘The Green Machine’ most recently thrashed North American Champion Jeff Smith 8-0 in the 2023 final.

Image by Taylor Lanning.