"He realises perfectly well that something needs to happen and change" - Michael van Gerwen backed for big end of the year as pressure brews

Michael van Gerwen decided last week, after one day of play, to withdraw from the Players Championships in Hildesheim. The three-time world champion did not return to the oche for the second floor event and headed back to the Netherlands with Vincent van der Voort. In the podcast Darts Draait Door, Van der Voort explains why he believes that was the right call.

According to the former professional, it quickly became clear that Van Gerwen was not yet mentally ready to fully focus on the tournament. The long drive back to the Netherlands, Van der Voort said, offered the chance to talk things through in depth. "He realises perfectly well that something needs to happen and change. He is fully aware of that. He is actually thinking about it more than I realised,"

Van der Voort says he has been giving Van Gerwen the same advice for some time. A player of his calibre should only line up if he fully stands behind his participation. "I noticed that he wasn't ready for it right now. And I've always told him: ' You should only go to tournaments if you are 100 percent committed and want to win. You shouldn't go because you think you have to throw.'"

After the first Players Championship, they therefore decided together to skip day two. "So after that one day, we actually decided very simply that we were better off going home. He wasn't 100 percent there, not prepared for it. So I said: 'Just sort everything out this month first, and then go full throttle towards the end of the year.'"

Van der Voort stresses that Van Gerwen’s original plan remains unchanged. The Dutchman wants to go on the offensive again after the summer and stabilise his position in the world rankings.

According to Van der Voort, his good friend also realises that it takes more than talent alone. "He still stands behind that, as well as the fact that he needs to put in more effort."

During the return journey, Van der Voort said they not only looked ahead to the rest of the season, but also spoke openly about what can improve. "That was actually all very positive (what they discussed, ed.). We were able to tell each other the truth. What is bothering you about the other person and what is going well. That is necessary; you have to be able to talk about it with each other."

The former UK Open finalist therefore looks back on the conversation with a good feeling. “I can only say that it was nothing but positive."