Van Gerwen looking forward to home support at World Series of Darts Finals: "Sometimes it can even be a decisive factor"

Michael van Gerwen is one of the top names involved at this weekend's World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. Fans will have to wait until Saturday before Mighty Mike is in action, because he is directly qualified for the second round.

Two years ago the tournament was also played in the AFAS Live in Amsterdam and then Van Gerwen managed to beat Danny Noppert in a Dutch final. Because of the corona pandemic this was the last time the Dutch ace played a tournament in front of his own crowd.

Last year most of the tournaments were played without an audience and that was hard for Van Gerwen. "It's more boring without an audience and I find it harder to charge myself up in such a situation'', he told AD Sportwereld.

"I am now looking forward to playing at home. Always when I play in the Netherlands, the fans are behind me in a fantastic way. I hope it's not different now. If so, that certainly gives an extra boost and sometimes it can even be a decisive factor. But anyway, I always have to stay sharp.''

In September, Van Gerwen finally managed to capture his first title of the season at the Nordic Darts Masters. Recently, the 32-year-old Dutchman was also close to final victory at the European Darts Championship, but then Rob Cross proved too strong in the final. Van Gerwen is approaching his top form, but he feels he needs another notable title to take another step forward.

"At least one title would be optimal, yes'', he refers to the tournaments that follow in the coming weeks prior to the World Championship. "I feel like I'm throwing super well, both in practice and on stage. That gives more self-confidence. In addition, the absolute will to win is back,'' said Van Gerwen.

Van Gerwen, a four-time winner of the World Series of Darts Finals, will play the winner of the match between Maik Kuivenhoven and John Henderson in the second round on Saturday night.