(VIDEO) "Was his life, really sad": Michael van Gerwen pays emotional tribute to Wayne Mardle's wife Donna after sad passing

Michael van Gerwen as ever tackled questions from the media after he saw off James Hurrell pretty comfortably at the PDC World Darts Championship and as ever he was in a bullish mood.

After not having the best year of his career, he remains confident in his Ally Pally title tilt and also admitted that he won't be watching Luke Littler and doesn't care.

He also paid tribute emotionally to Donna Mardle, the wife of Wayne who sadly passed away this past week and is a figure MVG knows well.

Follow the PDC World Darts Championship 2025 via our LIVE SCORE!

Read also

Everything about the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship: Schedule, results, TV guide and prize money

"I think I did well of course there's still a lot of work to do. I was a bit annoyed with myself as backstage I was playing and preparing really well but overall with my doubles percentage and everything I can't really complain," said Van Gerwen post match.

“I think I did enough, and that’s the only thing that matters, especially knowing that I didn’t have the best 12 months of my career.

“I love to perform on stages like this. It gives me a lot of energy, and the atmosphere definitely gave me goosebumps. Everyone knows the amount of pressure I put on myself but not only I do it on myself but the people around me, the people that support me. I've always got pressure on my shoulders and you've got to deal with it the way you have. That's not always easy but I know I'm capable of doing that."

Not the best year for MVG but he stays resolute even offering an interviewer £50 to find him saying he wanted to beat Barney's record.

But he also said that in his view, Hurrell was beaten before he got on the stage after saying he wanted to play him.

"He said in the practice room before that my goal was to play you. I know that's an answer that's also the end destination for him. I knew that at that moment. He will learn, it's his first year."

He also rubbished the bookies odds put on him and that he will be dangerous when he gets back as a result and shows people still believe in him. "Fourth favourite and I couldn't win a raffle this year. It's like they still believe me isn't it. If you look to my ranking money won this year, I'm still in the top five. When I start to play well again I'm going to be dangerous."

He won't be retiring anytime soon either with Van Gerwen saying that he has resigned with Winmau for 10 more years and couldn't do anything else.

"No chance. I love what I do and as long as I keep loving what I do then we're going to see. What else am I going to do is the question I ask myself. I just resigned with Winmau for the next 10 years so I'm not going to stop."

He also like alluded to touched upon the news about Wayne Mardle's wife's sad passing. "The day I heard I gave him a text of course. It's very sad. I know him for a long time, first time I know him 22 years ago when I was 13. Donna was his life, really sad."

But also as ever was quizzed about whether he would watch Luke Littler and said he sees him every week why would he care.

"I see him every week why would I care. Ryan is a good player, maybe could have some surprise. Wouldn't be the first tournament he loses first round this year as well. I still expect him to win."