"That’s nobody’s business, I had two rough weeks” – Michael van Gerwen hints but refuses to comment on private life link to World Masters exit

Michael van Gerwen started 2026 strongly by winning the Bahrain Darts Masters, taking the first tournament of the year. He then also reached the final of the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters.

But at the first true major, the Winmau World Masters, things went wrong for him. After Vincent van der Voort recently revealed that the early defeat was linked to ‘a sledgehammer blow in his private life’, Van Gerwen has now addressed it himself.

After his two strong World Series events, there was renewed optimism around Van Gerwen heading into the World Masters. This is an important year for the Dutchman, and he seemed to show he was ready. That optimism quickly faded when “Mighty Mike” lost 3-1 to Damon Heta in the first round of the first major of 2026, averaging only just above 88.

“You can’t control everything,” Van Gerwen began about his early exit at the World Masters in conversation with De Telegraaf. “And if you’re not fully there, you see it immediately in your game. You have to let it slide off you as much as possible, but that’s not always easy.”

It was clear he wasn’t at the level he showed in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and there was a reason. However, Van Gerwen does not want to disclose exactly what that reason is. “That’s nobody’s business. I don’t want to go into it, but I’d had a rough week. Almost two weeks, actually,” said the three-time world champion.

“Everything takes time, but then you also have to move on, and of course that comes with ups and downs. Everyone knows I’ve had a very turbulent year, on the oche and off it. And finding a good balance doesn’t always work out. That doesn’t exist. There are lesser moments now and then, and it just happened to be at the Masters, which frustrates me.”

Van Gerwen even seriously considered not traveling to Milton Keynes. “But then you still want to go and play, and afterwards you might think: it would have been better not to, but you should never regret the choices you make in hindsight. It is what it is.”

He continued: “You don’t have time to mourn. Before you know it, the next tournament is on the doorstep, so you have to stay sharp constantly, keep your foot on the gas, and I think it can also be good to get over something quickly. I’ve got plenty of experience and I’ve been through enough in my life that I’ve grown a thick elephant skin. I can take it.”

And that next tournament on the doorstep is the Premier League Darts, which gets underway this Thursday evening. For the first time since 2019, when Raymond van Barneveld and Van Gerwen both played the event, there are two Dutchmen in the line-up again. Gian van Veen is set to make his debut in the prestigious tournament.

Looking ahead to the Premier League, Van Gerwen does not yet believe there is a rivalry between the two compatriots. “Well, no, I think a bit more has to happen to match the rivalry between Raymond van Barneveld and me. Of course he’s doing very well, but it’s also his first Premier League year. Everything is new and exciting for him. I hope so, but you can never know that in advance.”