Once again, the Dutch Destroyer – not to be mistaken for a massive orange battleship – Vincent van der Voort has been chatting with Damian Vlottes on the latest Darts Draait Door episode. And if, like me, your Dutch is limited to “Heineken, please”, the podcast title translates to Darts Continues to Spin. Apparently.
Anyway, enough language lessons – back to the tungsten. With Darts World recently breaking the news that Michael van Gerwen would not be competing in the final two Pro Tour events of the season in Wigan – meaning he is unable to close the gap and qualify for the Players Championship Finals in Minehead – it was inevitable that the conversation turned to the legendary Dutchman.
“That takes some getting used to,” said Vlottes. Van der Voort didn’t sugarcoat it. “It suits his year – it’s been a year of nothing. Especially on the Pro Tour. He’s played a lot, but hasn’t performed.” Together, they ticked off the list of frustrations: a flat Premier League campaign, early exits at the World Matchplay, and a disappointing UK Open. “Only the Euro Tour saves his year a little bit,” Vlottes added.
With Ally Pally creeping into view and only the European Championship and Grand Slam of Darts left before the Worlds, the pressure is mounting. “Next year is huge,” Van der Voort said with empathy. “He has to defend everything. I understand what’s happening at home for him. I’ve spoken to him – you can tell he puts on a brave face in public, but behind that there’s emptiness. It’s all hitting him.”
Of course, Vinny wouldn’t be Vinny without a touch of tough love. When it comes to MVG, it’s less criticism and more brutal honesty. “Because he’s doing all these other things, people think, ‘Oh, there he goes again, skipping darts for something else.’ I believe he’s genuinely struggling, but it comes across oddly. You can go to festivals and everything, but then not play darts for two days? Maybe it’s mental. If that’s the case, he needs to step away completely. Once you show up at a tournament, you’re judged on performance.”
Van der Voort went deeper, his tone shifting to one of concern. “He’s really struggling with himself right now. For example, the dogs are gone – it’s quiet and empty at home. I understand that he wants to go out for dinner, to get away. That might make more sense than sitting on the couch on a Saturday night thinking too much. I get it, but I’m worried about his career.”
Aside from the 2017 UK Open, which Van Gerwen missed through injury, the upcoming Players Championship Finals will be the first PDC TV ranking major the multiple world champion has ever skipped. So perhaps he deserves a little leeway. But make no mistake – while his consistency might have wandered off, the hunger hasn’t gone anywhere.
Soon enough, we’ll see Mighty Mike back at full throttle, smashing the board to bits and reminding everyone what all the fuss was about. The greatest ever to grace the oche always find their way home.
—–ENDS—–
Images: Winmau (Main), PDC (MVG shot)
