Van Gerwen makes ranking promise after opening Heta win: "I will be Number One in the World one day again"

Michael van Gerwen was left frustrated as the home hero got away with a poor display at the World Series of Darts Finals against Damon Heta with his doubles letting him down which he said need to be better.

"I could have won this game so much easier but when you hurt yourself that much you can only blame yourself simple as that. It's only short format so you're not allowed to make a lot of mistakes but if your opponent doesn't take his chances you need to make the most of it and I think that's what I did and the crowd of course helped me a lot and I'm glad I'm back in AFAS playing in front of my home crowd but the doubles have to be better simple as that," said Van Gerwen to Online Darts.

"With all the respect to Damon, of course he's a really good player especially on the floor but you have to create your own game and on stage you can't get a lot of energy out of him so you have to produce everything yourself."

Giving an injury update, he said that while he has issues at times with his hand, it is not a hindrance on his darts.

"I don't feel anything anymore, only when I have to do something with my hand that the full power is not there 100% but when I play darts, I feel pain-free."

"I feel comfortable, I feel good but you also have to show it on the big stages and I think my scoring power is there but I'm not where I want to be yet."

Speaking on the current state of darts at the top of the game, Van Gerwen wasn't drawn too much on Price and Wright but did give one promise.

"Maybe maybe but I promise you this I will be Number One in the World one day again."