Now a six time champion in the event, he was glad to have his hands on a trophy again and he also discussed Mervyn King's displeasure at his celebrations during the tie.
"I had to play my best performance because Mervyn was playing phenomenal, he pushed me to the end. It's been a long time since I've won a tournament so I'm glad to have my hands back on the trophy," said Van Gerwen.
"Mervyn doesn't enjoy a lot. He is a phenomenal player, as long as he keeps his focus on the darts. Sometimes he can irritate himself from other players and what I do but whatever he does, I don't really care."
"You have to focus on yourself on and your own game. That's what keeps me strong and keeps me motivated."
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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"I've worked hard for this - to come back stronger and stronger it means a lot."
Michael van Gerwen spoke to @nedboulting after winning the Ladbrokes Players Championship Final 👏🎯