"I have six gears but I won it in fourth gear": Van Gerwen not pleased with overall display despite sealing first ranking title of 2023

Michael van Gerwen sealed victory over Josh Rock 8-4 at Players Championship 7 for his first title of the season but despite that, he wasn’t left pleased with his overall performance in a potentially ominous sign for the rest of the field.

"I had to work very hard," admitted Van Gerwen. "I have six gears but I won it in fourth gear today.

"I wasn't playing well most of the day, but the games where I had to play well - to beat Dirk in the quarter-finals I played really well there, and against Josh in the final - I did it.

"That gives you confidence and gives you pleasure but I wasn't great today. Of course I want to play better but I did it whenever I had to do, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

"They're long days, very long days," he added. "At this stage in my life, every tournament I compete in I want to win and it gets harder.

"If you look at the floor tournaments nowadays there's no easy games any more so I have to battle for every game, but overall I'm pleased with my win and that's really important.

"A lot has changed - everyone can play a 100+ average and that's how good the tour is at the moment so that's why you need to get focused."