"I'm not going to stop before I win a couple more" - Michael van Gerwen insists his World Championship winning days aren't over

With the field now complete and the draw having been confirmed, all eyes are on the upcoming World Darts Championship. Three-time champ Michael van Gerwen has been left without a world title since 2019. The 35-year-old Dutchman has not had the best year of his career, but nevertheless heads to the Alexandra Palace full of self belief.

Van Gerwen won the Hungarian Darts Trophy, the Dutch Darts Masters and two Players Championships this year, but was left without a victory at any of the majors, something the mighty Dutchman isnt particularly used to.

"I didn't have the best last few months of my career, so yeah, it's a bit different for me this time," Van Gerwen reflects honestly in conversation with Sky Sports from the draw, giving an insight into his preparation. "First of all I need to know when I'm going to play, what day and who I'm going to play. Then I can make plans."

"I have underperformed this year, we don't have to deny it. I didn't do enough. Of course I could have won a couple more Euro Tours, the Premier League and the Matchplay I definitely should have won," Van Gerwen adds with a wry smile. "Now, it's about how I answer that disappointment. I've been in more disappointing positions before and if anyone can answer this, it's me... One thing is, I never underperform at the World Championship."

Ahead of this year's edition, most of the hype and talk is around last year's two finalists, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, allowing Van Gerwen to fly somewhat under the radar. "I'm not worrying about that!" Van Gerwen laughs. "I just have to worry about myself and my own game. Of course they are doing well, but we've seen before no one is unbeatable. One day they can win a tournament, the next they can lose first round."

As mentioned, 'Mighty Mike' has been stuck on three world titles (2014, 2017 and 2019) for a number of years now. "I should have won one or two more, minimum," he concludes. "But, that's the way how it is and you have to deal with the circumstances. I'm not going to stop before I win a couple more anyway!"

As tge draw revealed, in his first match of the tournament, Van Gerwen begins his quest for a fourth world title against the winner of the opening round tie between Jim Long or James Hurrell.