16/07/2024

''He probably threw an hour every day when his wife was getting ready for dinner" - Michael van Gerwen practice time whilst in Ibiza key to win over Luke Littler at World Matchplay

Michael van Gerwen put in a very impressive and focused performance in the first round of the 2024 World Matchplay on Monday night. 'Mighty Mike' was considered the underdog in the match up against Luke Littler, but the teenage talent was defeated 10-6.

Van Gerwen's report cards were excellent. He recorded an average of 101.93 and threw a finishing percentage of 43.5 percent. Not for nothing did the Dutch darting icon refer to his match as one of his best first rounds ever at the World Matchplay. The foundation for this victory was laid partly in Ibiza, where Van Gerwen spent more than a week on holiday with his wife and two children leading up to this year's trip to Blackpool.

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You see, there was not only holiday relaxation in Ibiza, but serious work toward the showdown with the 17-year-old Premier League Darts champion. ''My darts supplier and sponsor Winmau Darts had a darts board sent to Ibiza. It was not for nothing. Not because I just like it all, but there is also work to be done. I had already taken care of that before I knew I had to go against Luke Littler,'' he told Viaplay post-match.

In the studio, his good friend Vincent van der Voort told us that he actually didn't like practicing whilst on holiday however. ''Of course not, because you're on holiday. But he also knows that if you do nothing (prior to a match) against Luke Littler for 10 days, then it becomes difficult.''

So when did Van Gerwen put in his training hours? ''He probably threw an hour every day when his wife was getting ready for dinner,'' Van der Voort laughed.

On Tuesday, Van Gerwen will have a day of rest in Blackpool. Then the matches from the second round of the top half of the tournament schedule will be played. Van Gerwen himself is in the bottom half of the draw and will be back in action on Wednesday night. Then a meeting with Joe Cullen awaits.