Smith understands huge disappointment with Van Gerwen: 'It proves he is cut from the right cloth'

Michael van Gerwen showed himself to be a great sportsman after his lost World Cup final against Michael Smith by showering his opponent with compliments. But we saw that the defeat tasted particularly sour as the 33-year-old Dutchman left the stage emotional.

Those tears were no surprise to Smith, rather it proved what kind of man Van Gerwen is made of. "If you saw me last year against Peter Wright and earlier against Michael (in 2019), then I cried too and I almost do it again now. He's already won three, I'm jealous of him. I finally got my first, but Michael van Gerwen, even apart from Phil Taylor, is the best darter we have seen," Smith said to De Telegraaf.

"I'm sure he'll be in the final again next year and if not the year after," Smith continued. "He's going to get a fourth world title and a fifth, because that's what he wants. (Looks like he is thinking and starts laughing) By the way, I think he wants six because he will want more than Raymond (van Barneveld, ed.). That is what he is striving for and he will not stop there. When you see what he is capable of, after some lesser years... If you don't cry when you are beaten on this stage, then you shouldn't be playing and you shouldn't be here."

Smith also saw that Van Gerwen did not reach his best level in the final. "He didn't do what I did because the pressure was on him. I had nothing to lose, only to win. He had everything to lose. I don't want to say the pressure got him down, but he did miss his chances. Michael gave me chances and when I had to hit my doubles, I didn't miss them. I was always there to take my chances. And Michael missed them today. That was the point. Michael wasn't really tested this World Championship either. I was tested tremendously against Martin Schindler (he came 1-3 behind and won 4-3, ed.). I knew what I could bring to a situation like that. If Michael played like he already did, he could have beaten me."

For 'Bully Boy', it was already a dream final. "I wanted Michael to win his semi-final because I wanted to test myself against Michael van Gerwen. I want to play against the best, because they show you what position you put yourself in. If you play against them and get destroyed, then I know more is needed. There will be a lot more finals between me and Michael in the coming years. It's 1-1 in our World Championship finals between us and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last one here."