"It's a good possibility that I'll play this year" – Van Gerwen open to possible World Cup of Darts participation alongside Gian van Veen

It takes some getting used to, but Michael van Gerwen is currently no longer the Netherlands’ number one. After a fantastic World Championship, Gian van Veen climbed to No. 3 on the Order of Merit, putting him one place above ‘MVG’. However, during the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, the three-time world champion made it clear he is hungry to win that position back.

Van Gerwen has, nonetheless, been strikingly respectful in recent months toward Van Veen, who overtook him in the world rankings. ‘Mighty Mike’ also made it clear that this situation is anything but something he can ignore. On the contrary. “If that’s not in my mindset, then that’s the day I’m going to stop. You know what I mean? You always need to look in front and look ahead," he said during Saudi Arabia.

According to Van Gerwen, hunger is an absolute prerequisite for staying at the top. “That’s the most important thing, also for your own game and for everything. You need to have that hunger. Otherwise, you’re just going to be another player on the tour and you’re going to be miserable." It’s a statement that says a lot about his mentality. Despite his record and status, he keeps pushing himself to want to improve. “I’m a positive man, and that’s why I also want to try to deliver in my game and in the way I am.”

His international schedule also came up. In recent years, Van Gerwen consciously eased off by skipping the World Cup of Darts, a decision he made to find more rest in a packed darts calendar. This year could be different. With Van Veen as a potential partner, the Netherlands would start the tournament as the second seeds, with realistic chances to win.

Asked whether another shot at that title appeals to him, Van Gerwen was cautious. “Could be. It’s a good possibility I’m going to play this year.” Not a definitive commitment, but a clear opening.