Van Gerwen in confident mood ahead of PDC World Championship title defence: 'People have to do something really special if they want to stop me'

Van Gerwen said that he doesn't see why he can't retain his title again and said that from his perspective, people have to do something really special if they want to stop him.

He added that if he is at his very best, no one can beat him and that players can say all they want but they have to show it on the stage.

"I'm in my retaining period," said Van Gerwen, speaking at media day ahead of next month's World Championship.

"I don't see why I can't do it again. I'm looking forward to it and people have to do something really special if they want to stop me.

"I've got a big target on my back and when you're doing really well people don't want you to win. I know that - that's a fact.

"Then you get the great battles on the stage and I think that's good for darts, especially characters like Gerwyn Price because he's doing really well lately, but I'm glad I could put the pressure on him yesterday and beat him in a really important final.

"If I'm at my very best they cannot beat me but you can say whatever you want, you have to show it on the stage.

"You're not allowed to make mistakes because these are guys that practice every day and I've got a big target on my back - they always give a little bit extra against me than against anyone else," he added.

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