VAN GERWEN WOES CONTINUE

By Aaron Nijjar 

MICHAEL van Gerwen is enduring one of the toughest spells of his career. 

Three-time World champion Van Gerwen was knocked out in the last 16 of Players Championship 14 in Rosmalen after losing 6–1 to Jonny Clayton.  

World No. 3 Van Gerwen averaged just 80 in that match – well below his usual standard. 

It followed a first-round exit to Mario Vandenbogaerde at Event 13 which marked his fourth consecutive first-round defeat at a Players Championship event. 

This is the first time Van Gerwen has suffered such a torrid run on the ProTour. 

In 2025 Van Gerwen has won just 11 of 21 ProTour matches and is also yet to win a title. 

And statistically Van Gerwen’s form at the oche has dipped. 

‘The Green Machine’ has recorded thirteen 100+ averages in 47 matches, leaving him 21st overall — outside the top 20 in that category. 

Former pro and close friend Vincent van der Voort believes injury and a relentless schedule are key factors.

He told Sportnieuws.nl: “That injury is not completely over yet and you notice by everything that he is not throwing freely.

“Everything takes a lot of effort. There has to be relaxation on it, but it just doesn’t work.

“Then you notice that the average pulls down and then Michael is just one of many.

“Then he’s tipsy. Vandenbogaerde also just deservedly won, because he was the better one.  

“It does become worrisome now that it happens a few times in a row. 

“You notice now that it also bothers him.  

“That injury should be over, but Thursday he has to go to Ahoy for the Premier League Darts and at the weekend is already the Euro Tour in Munich.  

“He has no time to train, rest or receive treatment.” 

Van Gerwen turns 36 on 25 April, but any celebrations may have to be brief. 

Former UK Open finalist Van der Voort added: “He’s in a tough spot and that’s hard for other people to understand.  

“He is so under a magnifying glass and also puts enormous pressure on himself. 

“As a result, expectations are very high. You increasingly have the idea that at times it becomes too much for him, that pressure. 

“He already has very little rest and then his birthday is also coming up. Then, of course, there are all kinds of things.  

“It’s very hard work for a little level. You can only turn that around with training, rest and by doing the right things. 

“It’s not going to get better by itself.” 

Van Gerwen returns to action tomorrow (Thursday) at the Premier League where he will face Stephen Bunting in Rotterdam.  

47-time major winner Van Gerwen shrugged off injury concerns with an impressive 6-4 defeat of Chris Dobey on Night 10 in the quarter-final. 

‘Mighty Mike’ is currently fifth in the table but he is level on 15 points with Gerwyn Price who is in third after the Welshman has recorded two nightly wins.  

Image by Taylor Lanning.