"I didn't feel myself quite right": Visibly emotional Michael van Gerwen has mixed emotions after Littler World Darts Championship loss

Michael van Gerwen on Friday night failed to win the PDC World Darts Championship for a fourth time. The 35-year-old Dutchman went down 7-3 in the final in Alexandra Palace against Luke Littler. Van Gerwen was satisfied with a successful tournament.

Van Gerwen missed too many doubles in the beginning of the match and soon looked at a 4-0 deficit in sets. "I made mistake after mistake to try to fight myself into the match and then you run into a wall," he told Viaplay. "And then when he throws another fantastic leg, it's a s***y moment."

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Afterwards Van Gerwen gradually got better in the match and was able to win a few sets. However, it was too late to make things really difficult for Littler. Despite the defeat in the final, Van Gerwen looks back on this World Championship relatively satisfied. "I think I can continue with how I played at this tournament. I came from far. I had to fight hard for this. It's coming good. There is still a lot to come," said a visibly emotional Van Gerwen.

Michael van Gerwen lost out on his potential fourth world title

Not top fit

Van Gerwen did not appear fully fit for the match. "I think in the early stages I sold myself so short. In the beginning of the match I was a bit cold and I didn't feel myself quite right."

After a difficult year without a major title, Van Gerwen was not named a title favorite for this World Darts Championship for the first time in years. That honor was reserved for players such as Littler and Luke Humphries. Still, van Gerwen was there once again. "If you had said from me beforehand that I would be in the final, I would have signed up for it," he said. "But then still - when you stand there now - you do regret it."

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