"Unfortunately he didn't break it, he was playing that well": Van Gerwen jokes on Rock's ankle injury after nine-dart finish at Grand Slam of Darts

Michael van Gerwen edged past Josh Rock in an utterly incredible tie which saw the Dutchman prevail in a 10-8 victory with a 107.7 average and four ton plus checkouts.

Of course the topic of conversation post match centered around Rock who pushed MVG to his limit and produced a nine-dart finish en route.

"I'm not stupid, I know what I'm doing and you have to show it especially against a player with his potential. He's playing freely, he's got nothing to lose and then you have to produce your A game," he said post match.

"He's someone to look out for of course in the next few years as long as he's coached well and has the right people around him. It's all part of the journey.

But ultimately, he is not counting his chickens yet despite being in a good place so far in Wolverhampton.

"I'm feeling well, I'm comfortable. My family is well and that's all part of the journey. From there on, I think I can produce more. I'm still in the tournament, I'm going well but I've not won anything. It's just a game of darts and people have to realize that."

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Having an ankle injury which albeit didn't hamper Rock too much, Van Gerwen joked but also spoke about what he needs now to progress.

"Unfortunately he didn't break it, he was playing that well. Fair play to him, he did well. He also deserves it, he's going to be hyped a lot but there's also the danger for him at the moment. He also needs the right people around him now, that's important. That's going to be his next task."

As well as diminishing all comparisons between them with MVG winning the World Masters at 17 and Rock not yet having a TV title.

"I think to compare that is a little bit childish but the way he plays and how he treats the game, I think he can do a lot in darts."