Michael van Gerwen travels to London next week as one of the big favourites at the PDC
World Darts Championship, which will be played from December 15 till January 3 in Alexandra Palace.
The tournament starts for Van Gerwen on Saturday December 18. The three-time world champion will face either Chas Barstow or John Norman Jnr. Two unfamiliar faces for Mighty Mike, who doesn't feel the need to analyse his potential opponents in advance.
''I don't have to do any research for it. I just have to play my own game and not look at other players. Of course you want to know in advance if they are throwing quick or slow, but whether they are great players or not, I just have to play from my own strengths'', said Van Gerwen in an
interview with Dartsnieuws.com.
Van Gerwen had a difficult start of the season. The 32-year-old Dutchman had to wait until September before winning his first title of the season. In recent months however, he has started to grow more and more towards the required World Championship form.
''I think I have made big steps in the past year'', stated the 2014, 2017 and 2019 world champion. ''Of course, I've come from far, but that makes it all the nicer when you're then rewarded with good performances and winning matches more easily.''
Van Gerwen did not win a major title this season. The Dutchman reached the semi-finals of the UK Open, Premier League Darts, World Matchplay and World Series of Darts Finals, while he lost the European Championship final to Rob Cross. A fourth world title would be a nice way to end the season on a high.
''Of course, winning the World Championship is the most important thing. It would be a nice reward for all the hard work this year. It hasn't always come easy to me, I've had to do a lot, but I'm happy where I am now and from there I can only see more perspective.''
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