"Wherever the tournament is, I don't care I'll be on the flight": Michael van Gerwen candid on Saudi Arabia World Series debut

Michael van Gerwen admits it will feel strange not being part of the Players Championship Finals in Minehead next month – but insists he’s already focused on making the most of his break and preparing for another crack at the World Championship.

The Dutchman, who battled past compatriot Wessel Nijman in a tense opening round at the European Championship, joked that he has exhibitions planned but confirmed he has a weekend off. “No, no — I’ve got three exhibitions planned with Jason Thame!” he joked. “I’ve got a weekend off then yeah."

For the first time in his career, van Gerwen won’t have a major tournament between the Grand Slam and the World Championship – a rhythm that has defined much of his winter over the past decade. “I’ve never been in that position, so I can’t judge it yet,” he said as per Darts Now. “I’ve got a press day on Thursday in Bristol, then I’ll be home Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday I’ve got to be at the launch — so I don’t have many days off, do I?”

The world number three also shared his thoughts on the PDC’s announcement of a first-ever event in Saudi Arabia next year, describing it as another step forward for global darts.

“I don’t know. If they want to bring in the money like they do with other sports, keep it going,” he said. “Wherever the tournament is America, Saudi Arabia, Japan — I don’t care. If the PDC tells me there’s a tournament there and we have the right to play, no problem. I’ll be on the flight. Simple as that.”

Earlier in the night, van Gerwen survived a major scare to edge past Wessel Nijman in a deciding leg, after Nijman missed seven darts to close out the contest earlier. Despite this he said he found it to be a good display.

“Overall I think it was a really good performance,” he said. “If you look up to the tenth leg, all the legs were under 15 darts — that’s a very high level. But when you have the chance to win 6–4 and miss three clear darts at a double, you can only blame yourself.

“I made it difficult for myself again, you know what I mean? You don’t want to put yourself in that position — you just want to finish the game off and it’s done.”

Van Gerwen admitted the tension in the closing stages got to both players, but said that experience ultimately made the difference. “When things get a bit more difficult and you’re not playing as well as you want, especially at the end, it can get frustrating,” he explained. “You also have to understand I’m playing a guy, Wessel, who can also get nervous sometimes, so you try to take advantage of that. I couldn’t really do that, especially in the last leg. His scoring power was okay, but mine was crap. But when you get a chance, you have to take it.”

Van Gerwen referenced previous meetings with Nijman, including their clash in Amsterdam, saying his younger compatriot has plenty of potential but still needs time to mature.

“Yeah, but not only on television — also on the floor,” he said. “I still think he’s a good player. If you look at some of his legs — 12 darts, 12 darts, 13 darts, 14 — whatever he did, he’s a good player. Of course, he has to learn a lot, but that’s how darts goes, unfortunately. I still have to learn, and I’ve been on the circuit for maybe 20 years.”

After withdrawing from a Players Championship earlier this month, van Gerwen admitted that preparation for the European Championship hadn’t been ideal.

“I don’t know yet, but I’m giving it 100 percent,” he said when asked about his mindset. “That’s the only thing I can do at the moment. I’ve had some ups and downs, especially in the last few weeks with stuff I had to arrange at home — personal things. But that’s how life is, unfortunately. Sometimes you have to battle on different levels, and that’s not always easy, but that’s life.”

Van Gerwen was also asked about the current state of Dutch darts, with players like Nijman and Gian van Veen making their mark on the circuit. While pleased to see the next generation emerging, the three-time World Champion wasn’t shy about setting the record straight.

“Are you going to compare Wessel and Gian with me now?” he laughed. “That would be really rude to me, I think! Let them first win a few televised titles. Of course, they’re doing well on the ProTour and on the Euro Tour, but now they have to do well on the main stage.”

“But honestly, I don’t care what they do. If they lose first round or win tournaments — well, if they win tournaments, I don’t like it, because I want to do it! But it’s not a team sport. I have to do it on my own, and whatever they do, I don’t give a ****. Sorry for the language.”