"He throws out these one-liners, and you just can’t stop grinning" - Florian Hempel on van Gerwen's dry sense of humor and his current form

In the latest episode of the Game On podcast with Elmar Paulke, Florian Hempel shares a moment that perfectly encapsulates Michael van Gerwen’s character: a throwaway line, a touch of self-deprecating humour – sharp, cheeky, but never cruel. It’s van Gerwen in a nutshell.

The conversation centres on the three-time world champion, who recently made headlines by withdrawing from the World Cup of Darts. Paulke observes that “Mighty Mike” no longer attacks every tournament with the same relentless intensity that defined his peak years. These days, van Gerwen appears more selective, making more space in his calendar for family life. But what is the Dutchman really like when the cameras are off – during the everyday grind of life on tour?

Hempel offers a rare personal insight, beginning with a scene from Rosmalen during Players Championship 13 or 14 in mid-April. Outside the venue, he recalls a brief encounter with van Gerwen – who had experienced a mixed run of form across those two days. First came a shock first-round exit to Mario Vandenbogaerde, followed by a last-16 loss to Jonny Clayton the following day.

Yet despite the early exits, van Gerwen showed no signs of frustration. Hempel describes him as upbeat and full of energy: “He looked totally fit, was in great spirits, joking around – and most importantly, he was still full of his usual banter.”

Then came the anecdote that left everyone laughing. “Outside the hall, he said to Max [Hopp]: ‘Max, you should grow a beard.’ Max asked why, and MVG replied: ‘So your face won’t be as visible.’” A classic van Gerwen line – blunt, dry, and cheeky, yet always delivered with a grin. “It wasn’t meant to be insulting,” Hempel explains. “You’re standing there chatting with a group, and that’s the first thing he says when he walks up. I love that.”

For Hempel, that kind of humour is van Gerwen’s trademark. “I could listen to him for hours. He throws out these one-liners, and you just can’t stop grinning.”

But there’s more to van Gerwen than just his quick wit. On the oche, the fire still burns. “He’s locked in when he’s playing. You can see it in how he walks to the board, how he reacts – he still gets visibly annoyed,” Hempel notes. “Maybe he’s just missing that final three percent that puts you at the very top – first or second place. But the quality is still there.”