Worrying Michael van Gerwen update shared by friend as he pulls out darts tournament
Michael van Gerwen withdrew from the Players Championship 16 after his first round exit in the tournament's previous edition, with a fellow darts star issuing a concerning statement
Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from a darts tournament
(Image: Getty Images )
Michael van Gerwen has pulled out of the Players Championship 16, with his close friend Vincent van der Voort giving a worrying update about the darts legend.
The 36-year-old Dutchman, who has struggled to reach the same heights he managed earlier in his career in recent years, made the decision to withdraw after a first-round exit in the previous edition of the tournament.
Three-time world champion Van Gerwen suffered a 6-5 defeat at the hands of world No. 96 Dominik Gruellich, marking his sixth first-round loss in this year's PDC ProTour.
And his friend and fellow dartist, Van der Voort, admitted he is worried about Van Gerwen's performances and behaviour at the oche when speaking on the Darts Draait Door podcast.
"When I see how things are going, the belief just isn't there," Van der Voort pointed out. "His presence is lacking, there's no aggression or passion in his game. It's just about throwing at the board and hoping for the best."
Van Gerwen's current form also puts him at risk of missing the finals night of the Premier League Darts.
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MVG has been a regular fixture at The O2 Arena play-off night, winning the tournament a record seven times and only failing to make The O2 once in 12 years, during the Covid-hit 2020 edition.
Yet, he currently sits in 4th place, just one point ahead of Nathan Aspinall, despite not having a single nightly win to his name.
With only two more nights before finals night, in Aberdeen and Sheffield, the pressure is certainly mounting.
Van Gerwen missed the Premier League Darts night in Berlin due to a bizarre neck injury he got while trying on shirts.
Van Gerwen is fighting to make the Premier League Darts Play-Offs
(Image: PA )
Despite the growing concerns about his game, MVG previously assured his fans that his drive to be the best is still present. per cent," he said.
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"When you face the past, you have your back against the future. You have to look to the future.
"I changed darts for a reason. To get my mind off things. When you aren't 100 per cent comfortable, it's a nice thing, but it didn't work out the way I wanted it to.
"It's not the most pleasant moment in my career. I'll never give up. I'll fight for everything. I know it's still there. You don't lose talent like that."
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