Van der Voort understands Van Gerwen's decision to skip World Series events Down Under: "Otherwise it becomes a bit of a grind"

Michael van Gerwen experienced a disappointing participation in the World Matchplay. 'Mighty Mike' was the defending champion in Blackpool, but lost in the first round to Brendan Dolan (10-7).

Although Van Gerwen had won the Poland Darts Masters ahead of the World Matchplay in early July, his preparation was not ideal. In June, the Vlijmen native went under the knife for dental surgery, from which Van Gerwen is still recovering.

Good friend Vincent van der Voort told NOS in an interview that Van Gerwen can handle his defeat well. "That's one of his many qualities: he can put that aside very easily. After a loss he balks for two days and then he looks forward again."

Normally Van Gerwen travels to "Down Under" in August for World Series tournaments in Australia and New Zealand, but he has decided to take a month's vacation during the summer month.

"That's wise of him," Van der Voort said of that. "That way Michael will also get a good appetite for TV tournaments later on. Otherwise it becomes a bit of a grind. There is a lot of pressure and a lot is expected of him. On days off, he has to shoot promo videos again."