The St. Helens thrower said after the final of the 2019
PDC World Darts Championship that Van Gerwen didn't deserved the victory as Smith missed many chances throughout the match. Smith has withdrawn these statements, the Dutchman told the Dutch press during his homage in his hometown Vlijmen. ''He sent me a message to apology, that's very couragious of him.'' Van Gerwen also showed understanding for Smith's first reaction after his defeat and said he had accepted the apologies. ''Things like that are said in the heat of the moment. It's couragious of him to do this and this is why he is a great player.''