VAN GERWEN VOWS TO FIGHT ON

By Aaron Nijjar  

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN admits the hunger remains to be the best player in the world. 

‘The Green Machine’ is still awaiting his first title of 2025 and has not won a ranked televised major since 2022 at the Players Championship Finals. 

Three-time World champion Van Gerwen has vowed to compete on the oche for at least another 10 YEARS. 

World No. 3 Van Gerwen told HLN.be: “I’ve just signed a new deal with Winmau through 2035.  

“I’m committed to going full throttle for at least another ten years. 

“I’m still young, and I know there’s plenty left in the tank. I’m better than most players on the Tour—I just need to prove it again, more often. 

“You have to keep up. And I don’t do that often enough, given what I’m capable of.  

“Even when I throw poorly, I shouldn’t drop below a 90 average. The gap shouldn’t be that wide.  

“You can’t just think it’ll be okay. No I’m a fighter. I’ll give it everything I’ve got. 

“The drive is a bit less than before. But I enjoy it more now. I’ve already accomplished so much, and that changes the way I experience things. 

“I still love darts. That’s probably my biggest motivation.  

“Sure, there are times when I think, Do I really have to go to another floor tournament in Barnsley?  

“But once I’m there… roll up the sleeves, the adrenaline hits.” 

World No. 3 Van Gerwen was once darts’ biggest star.  

In 2016 he won an astonishing NINE major titles which is unprecedented.  

‘Mighty Mike’ has lifted a record seven Premier League titles and 37 Euro Tour titles.  

The Dutchman was asked about the latest sensation Luke Littler who broke MVG’s record of becoming the youngest World champion at 17-years-old. 

Van Gerwen heaped praise on ‘The Nuke’ but revealed he was surprised at the amount of tournaments the teen has already missed.  

He added: “He’s a phenomenon, no doubt. But I find it surprising that he already shows some reluctance about going to tournaments.  

“That would’ve been unthinkable for me at his age.” 

MVG believes Littler is not a flash in the pan and will remain as one of his greatest rivals on the big stage.  

He said: “No, he’s too talented for that. He’s not a flash in the pan.  

“But even though he throws brilliantly in the Premier League, he still loses early on the Pro Tour sometimes. Maybe that frustrates him, but you can’t see it.  

“Me? The steam would be coming out of my ears!” 

47-time Major winner Van Gerwen has beaten world number one Luke Humphries 15 times in 29 of their meetings.  

However, Littler has overcome Van Gerwen in 11 of their 18 bouts.  

But Van Gerwen admits he is unfazed by his recent short comings to the Warrington thrower and believes matches between the big three happen too often.  

He said: “I don’t see it that way. I don’t mind if others do—I’m a big boy. If you can dish it out, you have to be able to take it. The key is staying sharp myself.  

“It happens too often now. Back in the day, you’d really look forward to, say, Van Gerwen vs Taylor.  

“Now, if someone tells me I’ve lost to someone four times in a row? 

“There are thirty more matches coming up this year. You get it?” 

Van Gerwen returns to action today (Sunday) at the German Grand Prix when he faces Kim Huybrechts in round two. 

Image by Taylor Lanning.