"My focus is solely on my children, they will always be the priority": Van Gerwen details challenges behind Players Championship Finals absence

Michael van Gerwen will not play any further floor events this season. The 36-year-old Dutchman has decided to skip the remaining three Players Championship tournaments, meaning he will miss the Players Championship Finals for the first time in his career.

The three-time World Champion was knocked out in the first round of Players Championship 31 in Wigan on Tuesday, losing to Dom Taylor, before immediately flying home. “I can feel that the man with the hammer has come to visit me too,” Van Gerwen told AD.nl. “I need to clear my head and get some things in order.”

As a result of his decision, Van Gerwen will drop outside the top 64 on the Players Championship Order of Merit — the cut-off for qualification to the season-ending Finals. Currently sitting 93rd, he would have needed to make up around £9,000 in the final three events, something that already looked a near-impossible task given his recent form.

Van Gerwen, who has won the Players Championship Finals a record seven times, has featured in every edition since his debut in 2009. This will therefore be the first time that ‘Mighty Mike’s’ name is absent from the line-up for the tournament, which traditionally serves as the final warm-up before the World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Away from the oche, Van Gerwen is also facing challenges in his personal life. The Dutchman is in the middle of a divorce from his wife Daphne, with whom he spent more than ten years and has two children. The situation has clearly taken its toll on the Vlijmen-born star, who has recently admitted he is still trying to find balance between his private and professional life.

“You have to move on with your life and try to close certain chapters, even though that’s easier said than done,” he told AD.nl earlier this year. “That takes time. There are a lot of balls I’m trying to keep in the air. I’m still in the middle of the divorce — not everything is settled in a few days. You’re dealing with all the follow-up and the aftermath. You have to handle that carefully, without making mistakes.”

As per Darts World, Van Gerwen gave additional details about his reasons for opting out of Wednesday's Players Championship tournament. “Everyone knows what has happened and right now, my focus is solely on my children. Obviously, the news about myself and their mother affects them enormously, and it’s vital we both continue to provide love and attention no matter what.

“This is a decision that was already in place. I know my fans would like to see me in Minehead, but I assure them I will be back very soon. This has been a tough year and I now need to recharge the batteries ahead of the World Championships.

“I owe it to myself, my management, sponsors and also the fans to only perform when I’m fully focused and can give 100% to the game I love. At this moment, my family are what matter most and they will always be the priority, regardless of anything else. Thank you for your continued words of support on social media. I do see them, and it means a lot. At the end of the day, just because we as professional dart players are in the spotlight, we are first and foremost loving parents.”