"Raymond talks a lot of crap in his life before": Michael van Gerwen rubbishes Van Barneveld Beau Greaves Premier League comments

Michael van Gerwen praised Beau Greaves as “the best female darts player ever” after overcoming the multiple Women's World Champion in his opening match at the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts — but warned against rushing her into the Premier League spotlight amid comments by Raymond van Barneveld last week.

The Dutchman came through a tense opener against Greaves in Wolverhampton, admitting the build-up had been fuelled by hype surrounding the 21-year-old’s debut on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

“It was a tough game,” Van Gerwen said post match. “Everyone puts so much pressure on matches like this, and we all know that. Beau’s been in great form lately, she’s doing really well, and playing games like this doesn’t make it any easier.

“I think the sharpness was there, everything was there, but at some points I was giving her too many chances. If you really want to be dominant, you need to finish — especially that first leg. Then you can get into your own rhythm and confidence. But when you make things difficult for yourself, it gets harder and harder.”
Follow the Grand Slam of Darts via our live scores!

Greaves’ performance once again caught the attention of pundits, following her impressive form across the Women’s Series and recent televised appearances. Van Gerwen, who was occasionally cast as the “pantomime villain” by a crowd heavily supporting Greaves, said he understood why she’s being talked about so much.

“Yes, because if you look at her talent and what she’s achieved so far, in my opinion there’s never been a better woman darts player,” he said. “Fair play to her. But now she also needs to push herself to the next barrier. She’s done it a few times a year, but now she has to do it regularly, weekly and that’s going to be different as well.”

With Greaves set to join the PDC Tour full-time next season, Van Gerwen believes her biggest challenge will be adapting to the demands of the circuit. “Definitely, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a man’s world,” he said. “Of course we’ve had Anastasia [Dobromyslova] and Lisa [Ashton] on tour before, but Beau’s still young. What it’s going to do to her, we don’t know — but it’s not up to me.

“I’ve got enough problems myself making sure I play well, and if I start worrying about others, it’ll only get worse for me.”

Van Gerwen was also asked about recent comments from Raymond van Barneveld, who suggested Greaves could be a Premier League contender if she performs well at the World Championship. Van Gerwen smiled but was typically blunt in his response.

“Raymond talks a lot of crap in his life before as well, you know what I mean?” he joked. “It would be too soon. Of course she has the talent to do it, but first let her adapt to the tour before talking about the Premier League. The Premier League has killed some players before too.”

While Greaves was the story going in, Van Gerwen admitted the hype added a layer of pressure for both players. “They hyped her up so much, probably even distracted her a bit, but that’s how it is,” he said. “I’ve been on the circuit a while, so I know how to deal with it and try not to let it get to me. Of course, it’s nice when the crowd chants for you, but it is what it is.”

Asked if he felt disrespected by the pre-match talk of Greaves being the favourite, Van Gerwen shrugged: “Let them say it. It’s not up to me to decide who’s favourite. I can only try to do as well as possible for myself.”

The Dutchman admitted the opening win was an important first step in what he described as “a brutal group,” which also features Niko Springer and Gary Anderson. “It’s very important — now they have to chase me,” he said. “But it doesn’t get any easier. Niko Springer next and then Gary Anderson, so it’s a tough group.

“I could’ve had an easier one, but I’m not walking away from it. You have to face it, put your shoulder underneath it, and make sure you do the right thing for yourself. Never give up — you have to battle your games, that’s how it is.”

At 4–2 up against Greaves, Van Gerwen said he briefly thought the match was under control before she fought back. “You know she’s capable of everything,” he said. “She was really stable — most of the time there was a treble in there. I was probably putting more pressure on myself, thinking, ‘Come on, Mike, why are you doing this to yourself?’ That’s darts sometimes. But it is what it is — I won the first one, it gives me confidence for tomorrow night, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Van Gerwen, chasing his fourth Grand Slam title and first since 2017, said the win gives him confidence to build momentum in Wolverhampton. “It would mean a lot to me,” he said. “But first let me get through the group, and then we can worry about the rest.”

Despite not qualifying for the Players Championship Finals later this month, the Dutchman doesn’t expect a long break before the World Championship at Alexandra Palace. “I don’t really have much of a break — two, maybe two and a half days,” he smiled. “Friday evening until Sunday evening, so maybe 48 hours more rest. I’m still quite a busy man, but I just have to do the right things for myself. This is one of the biggest tournaments of the year, so I need to make sure I’m performing.”

Van Gerwen’s respect for Greaves came through clearly — both his praise and his realism. While he called her the best female player ever, his words carried the perspective of experience.

“She’s got everything,” he said, “but now she has to prove she can do it every week. That’s when you find out what kind of player you really are.”