Van Gerwen gives first interview after dental surgery: ''It's something that touches on your ego and that's not the nicest thing"

Michael van Gerwen qualified for the second round at the Poland Darts Masters in Warsaw on Friday night by dealing with Adam Gawlas in the first round.

'Mighty Mike' started the match with difficulty against the darter from the Czech Republic and even fell behind 3-1. However, Van Gerwen then picked up five legs in a row to take the win.

''I think I did a good job,'' he reflected in conversation with Online Darts. ''Of course, it could have been better in the beginning stages. That's the way it goes but winning is the most important thing.''

It was the PDC's first-ever visit to Poland for a tournament. Van Gerwen was impressed with the Polish fans in Warsaw. ''The fans were absolutely incredible and that's what you want to see when you come to a new country. I think it's a plus for darts and there is more to come, but we should be proud of this."

In June, Van Gerwen went under the knife for dental surgery. Since then, the three-time world champion has received braces. This should help speed up recovery.

''I feel okay, of course it could be a little bit better but it is what it is. Speaking is also a bit more difficult. It's something that touches on your ego and that's not the nicest thing but I made the choice myself, to do this operation because I needed it. Now it's all about recovery.'

The tournament in Poland is Van Gerwen's last World Series tournament for now, as he skips the World Series tournaments in New Zealand and Australia in August. And that was a conscious choice.

''For me and my family, it is important to spend some time together. Last year my kids had six weeks of vacation, and during this period I was away for five weeks. I don't want to do that anymore,'' Van Gerwen said of why he is not competing this year Down Under.