In 2017, Van Gerwen was beaten by Phil Taylor in the Quarter-Finals, while he succumbed to the emergence of Jeffrey de Zwaan a year later. Glen Durrant was the victor last time out in the second round and so he has a point to prove.

"I didn't perform well in the last two years at the World Matchplay. I have got nothing to defend at all so I think I might be hungry for that title," said Van Gerwen speaking on The Darts Show Podcast.

Due to the Coronavirus, the chances of a crowd in Blackpool while still up in the air look slim and for Van Gerwen, he is looking forward to returning to crowds whenever that may be.

"Obviously, at the moment we don't know if there will be a crowd there or if it will be in Blackpool but I can't wait to perform in front of the fans again whenever that may be."