Van Gerwen after sealing third World Matchplay title: "Phil Taylor is the greatest of all time, not the best because that's me"

Michael van Gerwen surged away from Gerwyn Price just as he did against Dimitri van den Bergh to regain the World Matchplay for the first time since 2016 winning it 18-14.

"It's been tough to finish the game off like I did, it was probably the same like I did against Dimitri but this game was at a higher level because I had to produce everything to make it really difficult. I missed doubles early doors, he threw everything against me in his power. It was a tough one," said Van Gerwen post match.

Ranking his titles, he sees it as his fifth best title behind three World Championships and his Premier League win over Phil Taylor.

"Of course my World Championships, the Premier League where I beat Phil Taylor in the final with a 132 finish and then this one is right after. People at home don't know how much this means to me, I've been going through a rough period. I have to fight back constantly and battle against anyone, everyone all the time then to produce something like this in the final. I think it's only a credit to darts."

Speaking of the fear factor, he sees Gerwyn Price as his biggest rival diminishing Peter Wright's credentials.

"I think they're fearful anyway. Mentally I was the strongest as I never gave up, I kept fighting and I keep believing in myself. Me and Gezzy we know each other out of our own pockets, we have played each other so many times at the highest level. Of course I've got respect for him, I think what he does for darts he is a credit and people probably want to say that but they want to boo someone. I am glad it wasn't me tonight."

"I think he is my biggest rival as simple as that. Peter is a phenomenal player but Gerwyn Price shows his class more often than Peter Wright and that's how it is simple as that."

As well as some tongue in cheek comments about Phil Taylor after regaining the trophy named after 'The Power'.

"Phil Taylor what he did for darts, it's incredible. He's been the greatest of all time, not the best because that's me."