Michael van Gerwen gives criticism of Grand Slam of Darts format

It has been a common criticism of the format of the Grand Slam of Darts for years. Players who meet in the group stage of the tournament can meet again in the quarter-finals. And that's too soon, many followers and fans feel.

Michael van Gerwen also disagrees with the set-up the PDC has chosen, which means the top eight seeded players always have a fixed spot in the bracket. ''I think that's wrong but I've been saying that for years," 'Mighty Mike' said on Sunday night during his press conference following his victory over Rob Cross. 

Van Gerwen then came up with a suggestion of his own as to how it should be done. ''If you play someone in the group, you only can face in the final. That's the way how it is in my opinion, but this format has been as it is for the last however many years and that's the way how it is so you have to accept that."