“Especially with Michael dropping off a little bit, which is terrible to see as a Dutchman” - Gian van Veen feels extra pressure amid Michael van Gerwen’s dip in form

Gian van Veen reached the second round of the World Grand Prix with victory over compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode. The Dutchman won 2–0 in sets in Leicester, putting his difficult memories of the double-in, double-out tournament behind him. Afterwards, Van Veen spoke at length about his renewed confidence, a difficult spell earlier this season and the mental coaching that has helped him get back on track.

Van Veen’s relief was clear after the decisive double. By his own assessment, he had played exceptionally well at the World Grand Prix in each of the previous two years, only to lose his opening match both times. This time, his level was considerably lower, but he finished on the right side of the result.

“It really meant the world to me because the past two years I played really well here and lost my first game,” Van Veen said during his press conference. “Today I played much worse, but my opening double was very good. I think it was six out of seven or whatever in the first couple of legs. My scoring just wasn’t there.”

Van Duijvenbode initially failed to take advantage. “Dirk let me in for the first set and a half,” Van Veen said. “Then, as soon as he started playing really well, I was in trouble.”

For Van Veen, the match hinged on one important moment. A 69 checkout on double 16 allowed him to hold off Van Duijvenbode. He felt a miss could have changed the contest completely.

“That’s why that double 16 for the 69 finish meant so much to me,” he explained. “I knew if I missed that and he hit double eight, it would have been 1–1 in sets and I was going to be in big trouble.”

Van Veen sees that moment as evidence that his confidence is returning. Since the World Matchplay, he has noticed a clear improvement in his game and results.

“One hundred per cent, yes,” he replied when asked whether he was approaching his best level again. “This year has been tough, but the last couple of weeks and months have been really good, especially since the World Matchplay. The European Tour over the last couple of weeks, and Amsterdam last week, were good for me as well.”

Van Veen compared the victory with matches he felt he would have let slip a few months earlier. “I said it back then when I beat Sedlacek: a couple of months ago, I would have lost that game,” he said. “It’s the same with this game. The double 16 I hit for the 69 finish showed how much confidence I have in my own game.”

“A couple of months ago, I probably would have missed that because I was doubting myself too much,” he continued. “Those are big steps for me. Maybe I’m not back to where I was at my peak last year, but I’m getting there. It’s close.”

Van Veen’s renewed confidence on stage has not come easily. Earlier this season, he endured a difficult period in which the defeats mounted, particularly on the European Tour.

“Very tough. I played so many European Tours, week in, week out, where I lost my first game,” he recalled. “I was lying in bed in the hotel room thinking, ‘How do I turn it around?’”

Van Veen decided to put more work into his game and seek support from those around him. “It was difficult, but I’ve spoken to the right people. I’ve practised a lot. I’ve really put the effort in, and I think that’s what turned my game around,” he said. “It’s showing now. Hard work always pays off, and it’s showing right now. I’m glad it does.”

Alongside his friends, family and girlfriend, his mental coach has played an important role. Van Veen has been working with him for around two and a half years and spoke to him more frequently during his difficult spell.

“My friends, family and girlfriend have always had my back. That’s important, but you also need to talk to the right people,” he explained. “I’m someone who always keeps my thoughts to myself, but that’s not how it works.”

“I’ve had a mental coach for the past few years as well,” Van Veen continued. “I’ve spoken to him quite a lot over the last couple of months, just talking about my feelings and what I feel is going wrong. That’s important not only for my darts career but also for my personal life.”

Van Veen has noticed mental coaching becoming more accepted within darts. He believes that is partly a consequence of the sport’s rapid development. “Five or ten years ago, people would say, ‘No, that’s not for us. We just throw a dart at a dartboard. That’s it,’” he said. “But the sport is changing. The pressure on every single player is changing, and I think it’s necessary.”

The growth in prize money, tournament numbers and media attention brings different demands. “There are many more tournaments, more prize money and more pressure. The media attention is getting bigger every week,” Van Veen said. “All the players are under much more pressure than they were maybe two years ago.”

He therefore believes it is important not to bottle everything up. “I think it’s necessary to talk that pressure off you, talk about your feelings, what you’re doing, how you’re feeling and what kind of pressure you’re under,” he explained. “Maybe five years ago, people didn’t talk about it too much and players didn’t do it. Now I think it’s very important.”

Van Veen also feels the pressure of his changing status in the Netherlands. His performances have brought considerably more attention, while Michael van Gerwen’s once-assured dominance has diminished.

“Of course, you feel the pressure. The crowd is behind you, and you get different media requests and interviews from the Dutch media,” he said. “But I was very confident about my own game, so then it’s okay.”

Van Veen acknowledged that Van Gerwen’s poorer results bring extra expectations. “You always feel that pressure, especially with Michael dropping off a little bit, which is terrible to see as a Dutchman,” he said. “You get that extra pressure: ‘Okay, he’s dropping off. You now need to perform because we’re used to Michael winning all the tournaments, and we need someone else.’ That’s not really how it works, but you always feel that pressure.”

Between six months and a year ago, Van Veen felt that burden particularly strongly. His outlook has since changed. “Especially after the World Championship, when I overtook him, I always said Michael was always going to be Dutch number one,” he explained. “I still think that because of his legacy, but it’s difficult to say that right now because of the way he’s performing.”

Van Veen also pointed to his earlier meetings with Van Gerwen. “Throughout the year, maybe during the Premier League as well, I felt that pressure: ‘Okay, everyone says I’m the Dutch number one, but I still need to play Michael a couple of times, and I keep losing to him,’” he said. “I felt the pressure back then.”

That feeling has now largely disappeared. “Michael lost yesterday to Ryan Joyce and, as weird as it sounds, it’s not that much of a shock anymore, as it was 12 months ago,” Van Veen said. “I don’t feel that pressure anymore, and I think that’s really benefiting my game.”

The past year has also brought several new experiences for Van Veen, including the Premier League and the World Series. His first Premier League campaign, in particular, did not go as he had hoped.

“It’s been what I expected in terms of the attention and all that stuff, but it hasn’t really gone how I wanted it to, especially the Premier League,” he said. “It’s been tough, but it’s also been a very big learning curve.”

Van Veen believes that experience could prove valuable in the future. “I know what it’s like to play in all those venues, what the practice room is like and what it’s like to play 16 Thursdays in a row,” he explained.

He is therefore looking forward to a possible return in 2027. “I’m looking forward to being back there next year if I get the invite, but it’s looking good,” Van Veen said. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I know what it’s like. I’ve experienced it before.”

Should he make a second appearance, Van Veen expects to be better prepared. “Even though it didn’t go as planned this year, I think it’ll go much better next year.”