"I think Gerwyn Price is the favourite" - Van Gerwen starts World Series of Darts Finals mind games

Michael van Gerwen will look for a fifth final victory at the World Series of Darts Finals this weekend in Amsterdam. In the opening round, he will take on the winner of the duel between Gabriel Clemens and William O'Connor.

Van Gerwen arrives at the start well rested after having just finished a vacation in Ibiza. He was also present in Zandvoort to see Max Verstappen win the Formula One Grand Prix. "Nice to experience. Yes, I took my time with the family. Relaxed? Well, as far as that's possible with children," he says with a laugh to AD.nl.

The 34-year-old Dutchman also underwent dental surgery a few months ago and still wears braces, this should ensure that his jaws and teeth are straightened. "I suffered from that for a long time and started getting irritated by it. Then the oral surgeon and the orthodontist separately came up with the same advice. Then it was time to do something about it. With these braces, my teeth are brought further in, so that they meet again. It's already better than before though."

Still, Van Gerwen is not yet rid of his problems, as a second surgery awaits next summer. "That will also be an intense operation. Then they have to break the upper and lower jaws and put them down properly. That's a thing, but it has to be done. Who says A, must also say B. Scared? No, I'm in good hands. Coincidentally, I have a wound in my mouth right now from the braces, but if all goes well, I won't have any more pain until next year's surgery. It just takes time. And, although it's all not good, you also get used to it I must say."

That took some getting used to. "Shame? Yes, of course. I often bottle things up and then at some point it comes out naturally. But it was a conscious decision to do it during this period. Last year during my children's summer vacation I went away for five out of six weeks. Now I went on a nice vacation with my family in August."

Van Gerwen still won the Poland Darts Masters after his surgery, which took place just after the US Darts Masters win, but went out in the opening round against Brendan Dolan at the World Matchplay. "I have to get back into it and make sure I get sharp," he said. "Easy to blame this situation. I'm not like that at all. I think I didn't bring enough there. It's as simple as that, I wasn't good enough."

"This weekend is a nice test for me," continued 'Mighty Mike'. "In front of my own audience, hearty fun. Although that always brings more pressure too. I always want to perform and am a perfectionist. Now that's no different and my bar is always set at 'winning', but I know now that my level still has to go up."

Van Gerwen therefore does not see himself as a top favorite for the overall win. "I think Gerwyn Price is the favourite. Of course, if I'm good, I'm always the man to beat, but then you have to make sure you're good. I have to be honest with myself now, know where I stand. I'm just not where I want to be yet. But, of course I'm going there to win. Curious? Definitely, but you can only test yourself properly on the big stage under pressure."