“I think I could have won it five times”: Van Gerwen on underachieving at PDC World Darts Championship

Michael van Gerwen heads into this year’s PDC World Darts Championship with only three world titles to his name but is under no illusion that he should have more.

He will go into this year’s tournament back as the standout favourite to do so after returning to some of his best form this season.

“I could have won it more,” he admits to Daily Star Sport. “I lost to Phil one year [in 2013], I could have won that. I think I could have won it five times.

“People think it’s easy but it’s not easy. You can’t compare it with any other tournament, it’s the big tournament of the year. I just want to win a few more, and I will do. Let’s see.”

But while this confident side is always there, an emotional side came out during his Players Championship Finals speech but he admits that fear factor is still there so he doesn’t mind.

“The others are scared of me anyway so it doesn't matter if they see my softer side,” he said.

“They know I'm always capable of winning tournaments, I'm mentally strong and tough to beat – and winning another title proves that.

Also in a sport where the major titles get spread around, MVG doesn’t see one specific rival.

“I don't really call anyone a rival at the moment because there are loads of good players who you can lose to. Michael Smith, Joe Cullen, Jonny Clayton, Peter Wright, Gerwyn Price, there's loads.”