“I have my period, and I've still got to play... Man flu, it’s not real” — Fallon Sherrock has no sympathy for Michael van Gerwen’s illness struggles

Fallon Sherrock, the 31-year-old English darts star widely known as “The Queen of the Palace,” has spoken out about the physical challenges elite athletes sometimes face at major tournaments.

She responded with some frustration to Michael van Gerwen’s recent withdrawals from multiple matches and events, citing her own experiences to underline that illness isn’t always accepted as an excuse in professional darts.

“I don’t think you can play down if you’re not feeling very well,” Sherrock said on the Double Tops podcast.

“You still have to produce your game and stuff. I have my period, and I've still got to play. People don’t understand the cramps and stuff. I don’t want to be there, but I have to. I have to go, and I have to play well. Otherwise, I’m losing."

Her remarks follow a series of absences from Van Gerwen, who pulled out multiple times due to health issues. The three-time world champion missed Night 3 of the Premier League Darts 2026 and withdrew from Players Championship 5 and 6. He also skipped the first European Tour event of the year. As a result, Van Gerwen missed four consecutive tournaments in total.

On his return in Belfast, Van Gerwen narrowly lost 6-5 to Gerwyn Price on Night 4 of the Premier League Darts. Sherrock, discussing Van Gerwen’s form, indicated she is sceptical of the notion that a top player can simply use “not being at 100 percent” as an excuse.

“You have to go and you have to try. So when people say they’re sick…I’m not having it," Sherrock shut down. “Man flu, it’s not real. I don’t care. It’s just the flu, it’s not because you’re a man. I’m sorry.”

Van Gerwen himself told Dutch media earlier that he “felt really bad” during his absence. He added that upon arriving in Belfast, he wasn’t fully recovered yet but was “fit enough” to play. Sherrock, however, stresses that it’s not only about being physically able to play, but also the mental side: focus and resilience are crucial, even when you’re uncomfortable.

Sherrock’s comments spark broader discussions within the darts world about physical challenges, especially for female players. While men sometimes withdraw due to illness, she shows that women often have to push through, including during menstruation, while still maintaining their level.

Her stance is shared by many in the darts community. It highlights that darts — though less physical than some other sports — still demands a lot from body and mind. Every match requires concentration, precision, and mental toughness. Absence or dip in performance can have immediate consequences, not only for individual results but also for the audience and the competition.