"Of course why would it change? I know exactly what I said": Rankings still Michael van Gerwen's priority over Premier League

Michael van Gerwen insists his focus remains firmly on ranking events despite a mixed start to the Premier League, as he prepares to face Luke Humphries in Berlin on Thursday night.

The Dutchman has picked up one nightly win from the opening weeks of the Premier League Darts but feels he could already have more points on the board. “I think I could have had a little bit more points, but that’s the way the Premier League is,” Van Gerwen said to the media prior to tomorrow night in Berlin. “Every year it happens the same and you just need to make the most of it.”

Despite the high-profile nature of the weekly roadshow, Van Gerwen reiterated that ranking tournaments remain his top priority, and that stance has not shifted.

“Of course, why would it change? I know exactly what I said,” he added. “The ranking tournaments are really important for me, but I think they’re important for everyone.”

While results have been inconsistent, Van Gerwen does not believe his performances have dropped compared to his opening-night success. “I don’t think I play any worse than I did at the beginning of the Premier League,” he explained. “Obviously I won the first night, but I don’t think I played any better that week than I have since.

“Last week I played some good darts as well, but that’s the way it is. I’ve always been really critical of myself, but sometimes you also need to accept things.”

With that in mind, the three-time world champion is planning extra floor events to sharpen his game. “You can only turn it around by winning games. That’s why next week I’m also going to the ProTours to make sure I get some rhythm going, I think that’s really important at the moment.”

Van Gerwen also spoke about having his daughter with him during a recent Euro Tour event, admitting it was a spontaneous decision. “It was more of a last-minute thing,” he said. “On Friday afternoon she said, ‘Daddy, I want to come with you at the weekend.’ I said yes, then we arranged it, simple as that.”

While her presence provides motivation, he was quick to point out it does not automatically translate into results.

“Of course it gives me motivation, but it doesn’t give me any guarantees,” he said. “I also lost early at the Matchplay when she was there.”

Van Gerwen also offered sympathy for compatriot Gian van Veen, who is recovering from kidney stone surgery.

“We are human at the end of the day and things like this happen,” he said. “It would be really weird if for 16 or 17 weeks in a row no one had anything.

“To have kidney stones removed is not a pleasant thing, but it is what it is. I’ve never had them, so I don’t know how painful it is.”

He also reflected on the challenge facing players like Josh Rock during difficult runs of form in the competition.

“It’s not easy, but you need to make sure you relax a little bit more, that’s easier said than done,” Van Gerwen admitted. “For him it’s his first year, and this is my 13th or 14th year, so I’ve been in both situations.

“You just need to deal with it. I can’t change things for anyone else, it’s all up to themselves.”

The relentless nature of the Premier League, with its short format and constant travel, only adds to the challenge.

“It’s a very short format, there’s a lot of travelling and you play the top players week after week,” he said. “That can be hard sometimes, especially when you don’t have any points yet.”

Now one of the most experienced players on tour, Van Gerwen insists his competitive edge has not dulled over time. “100%. The feeling of winning is amazing and the feeling of losing is always tough,” he said. “Of course, some games you can accept better than others, but that’s the way it is.”

Attention now turns to a heavyweight clash with Michael van Gerwen’s opponent Luke Humphries in Berlin, with the Dutchman dismissing any outside narratives around his opponent. “Luke is an absolutely fantastic darts player,” he said. “If someone says he’s lost his aura, that’s not for me to judge.

“I know Luke is a fantastic guy and an even better darts player. I just have to battle against him, simple as that.

“Whether someone is number one, 28 or 128 in the world, I don’t care, you need to face them and make sure you beat everyone week after week.”