"Away for three weeks with different problems": Michael van Gerwen states on illness battle after erasing World Grand Prix dismay

Michael van Gerwen notched up another title. ‘Mighty Mike’ was the best at Players Championship 27 in Wigan on Tuesday. In the final, he beat Gerwyn Price 8-4. For Van Gerwen, it is his second tournament victory this year at the Players Championship.

Van Gerwen had to wait a long time for a first ranking title of 2024, but in September he won Players Championship 21 and not much longer after the Hungarian Darts Trophy. The 35-year-old Dutchman therefore seemed on form at the right time for the World Grand Prix.

However, disaster struck in the opening round after a 2-0 defeat against Daryl Gurney. What made the defeat even more painful was that Van Gerwen did not even manage to win a single leg.

“I was away for three weeks with different problems [illnesses],” said Van Gerwen, who survived match darts in three matches and rode his luck.

“It is frustrating but it is what it is. Sometimes health comes first. Two times I had to have different antibiotics for my stomach and you want to get rid of it as you are on a roll. You keep battling and I’m glad I won today.

On if he is ok though again now, Van Gerwen said that the proof is in the pudding so to speak.“Otherwise you can't do things like I did today," he quipped. "My energy levels have to be a little bit better, but overall I can’t complain, because these ProTours are very difficult, especially when you’ve already been doing this for 18 or 19 years.

“I have played this game for a long time, but I love it. I love what I do, and I think that’s the key.

“I am still able to keep myself motivated for the next tournaments, and you need to keep battling and keep fighting.”

He will play the Czech Darts Open this weekend with it being a mini break of sorts ahead of a busy period. "This weekend in Prague, my wife is coming with me to have some down time as I think that's also important. But I won in the end so who cares."