Van Gerwen briefly became 'lollygagged' with darts: ''I had played so much in that period''

Michael van Gerwen returns to the World Cup of Darts on Saturday night after two missed editions. Together with compatriot Danny Noppert, he will then take on Belgium.

The Netherlands' last success at the country tournament was some time ago. The Netherlands won the World Cup of Darts in 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2018. Van Gerwen teamed up with Raymond van Barneveld in the last three tournament victories. The last individual title of "Mighty Mike" was also some time ago. His last tournament victory was the Dutch Darts Masters in Den Bosch in January.

Van Gerwen is experiencing a very changeable season this season. ''It goes with a lot of ups and downs,'' the Vlijmen native acknowledged in an interview with De Telegraaf. ''The performances, they definitely need to improve. Only that needs its time. In the end, that second half of the year (with all the major tournaments and the big prize money, ed.) is just very important. Then I have to make sure I'm there."

At the end of May Van Gerwen played in the playoffs of the Premier League Darts, but in the semi-final match he had to beat Luke Humphries. After that game, the three-time world champion's resignation was particularly striking.

''Maybe it was because I was lollygagging with it for a while at that point. I had played so much that period that I thought: figure it all out, including myself,'' he says of it.

The Premier League has been over for a month now, giving Van Gerwen a little more rest in his schedule. ''That period with the Premier League has been horribly busy. With also the Eurotours, Protours and demonstrations; everything on it. But that the schedule is overflowing, you just have to try to manage it as best you can.''

After the World Cup of Darts, the sights are set on the World Matchplay (July 13-21), although Van Gerwen will take a break first. Monday I'm going on vacation with the kids. I'll relax a bit and after that we'll head back to the World Matchplay. Will I see no dartboard at all then? No, no. I've had a court towed that way, so I can prepare myself well.''