The world number one failed for the fourth consecutive year to make it to the semi-finals at the World Matchplay, one of the biggest PDC majors. Van Gerwen suffered a painful 11-4 defeat to Simon Whitlock in the second round. Besides the result, his form was also disappointing, judging by his average of just under 91.

The 31-year-old from Vlijmen did not dwell on this defeat for a long time. ''There was little to analyze. I played very poorly there'', he admitted in an interview with Dutch website Dartsnieuws.

'The circumstances were different (virtual atmosphere, ed.), But I shouldn't let that disturb me. I should have just played my own game and I did not do that, '' Van Gerwen said as he purely blames himself.

The loss against Whitlock must be seen as an incident, the three-time world champion emphasizes. "I think I threw 91 on average and that never happens to me. Especially not in such a long format. It sucks, of course, because you want to perform well there. But it wasn't there and I can only blame myself for that.''

After returning home from a holiday to Ibiza, Van Gerwen spent many hours at the practice board. All to get ready for the Premier League Darts resumption on August 25.

The start of a packed period of darts. In twelve days, Mighty Mike plays no fewer than ten Premier League matches. After more than two weeks of Miton Keynes, where Van Gerwen already arrived on Sunday-evening, he will compete in the PDC Autumn Series, World Series of Darts Finals and the German Darts Championship in September.

A busy period of five weeks, but Van Gerwen doesn't moans about that. “I think we can only be happy that the PDC managed to resume the Premier League. Although without an audience, but of course a way for us to make sure that people at home have something to watch, '' said the five-time Premier League champion.

According to Van Gerwen, it only benefits his game that he will frequently enters the big stage in the coming weeks. "I am someone who needs competitions to get into a rhythm. We will get that in the coming weeks, at the very highest level. I think that's good for me.''

Van Gerwen is also relieved he doesn't need to self-isolate prior to the resumption of the Premier League Darts. The Dutchman received an Elite Sport Exemption, an exception to the quarantine measure that sport athletes can request.

"That makes a big difference. Otherwise I'm not allowed to have contact with other people. So that is well arranged and good for me'', Van Gerwen concluded.