Michael van Gerwen's friend reveals reaction to World Darts Championship final defeat
01/05/2025 08:18 AM
Michael van Gerwen is ‘bummed’ over his performance in the World Darts Championship final, feeling the way he started the match was ‘incomprehensible and inexcusable,’ says his close friend Vincent van der Voort.
Luke Littler comfortably beat MVG 7-3, but it all could have been very different if the Dutchman had started the match more convincingly.
A string of missed doubles early on allowed the teenager to take a 4-0 lead and give Van Gerwen far too much of a mountain to climb from that position.
At that point the three-time world champ really improved and it was a very level game over the next six sets, which were shared, but Littler was too far ahead and capitalised on his lead.
Van der Voort, a long-term friend of Van Gerwen and former UK Open finalist, says he has spoken to the runner-up since the final and the way he started the match is lingering with him.
The man once known as Grease Lightening for his rapid throwing style says Van Gerwen will not be celebrating second place, having reached the peak of the sport multiple times before.
‘Really, he starts so badly in the first four sets. That he cannot answer and is not there,’ told the Darts Draait Door podcast, via DartsNews. ‘He just finds that to himself incomprehensible and inexcusable at that point.
‘Then you notice that he is very bummed. If Gian [Van Veen] finishes second at this World Championship, he will think it really was a top tournament. But if you have already won it three times, then you experience a second place very differently.’
Van Gerwen was quick to admit that he struggled early in the match and was very frustrated with himself for under-performing in the biggest game in the sport.
‘When you get your chances especially early door, I came 4-0 behind, I thought I wasn’t doing myself any justice then you need to try to fight and battle back,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘I think after 4-0 down I was definitely not the worst player out of us. But fair play to him, every chance he got, every moment he had to hurt me he did it.’
Contrary to Van der Voort’s thoughts, Van Gerwen did seem to be taking some positives from the run to the final at Alexandra Palace, especially after an up-and-down year and his form sliding away from the peak of a few years ago.
‘I had a lovely tournament, enjoyed every moment of this ride,’ he said. ‘We all know I’ve come from a far place, I’ve been battling my own game so far. But in the beginning of the game I was letting myself down too much. When you do that against a player with his ability and this performance then you’re going to be in trouble. That’s how it was.
‘It is what it is. You have to take it on the chin, move on. I always take my hat off for people who beat me if they beat me in a good game, fair to them, that’s the way sports works.
‘He did well, he deserved it. Of course it hurts, but that’s how it should be because if it doesn’t hurt you’re not going to be a sportsman. It is what it is, I have to move on and make sure I keep playing better
‘I’m an old b***ard compared to him. It is what is is. I have to take this on the chin.’
