logo
‘I feel more calm' – Michael van Gerwen reveals major personal change for first time that inspired World Matchplay win

‘I feel more calm' – Michael van Gerwen reveals major personal change for first time that inspired World Matchplay win

Scottish Sun6 days ago
Van Gerwen has made prediction about his next performance
MIC DROP 'I feel more calm' – Michael van Gerwen reveals major personal change for first time that inspired World Matchplay win
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has revealed that the presence of his daughter played a huge role in his World Matchplay win over Raymond van Barneveld.
The Dutch maestro was made to work against his compatriot in a 10-6 victory at the Winter Gardens.
Advertisement
4
Michael van Gerwen was made to work for his win at the World Matchplay against Raymond van Barneveld
Credit: Getty
4
He's revealed that the presence of daughter Zoe, 7, made a huge difference to his game
Credit: Instagram @mvg180
4
Van Gerwen has endured a tough time in his personal life, splitting from his wife in May
Credit: Instagram @mvg180
4
The pair had been together since 2008
Credit: Instagram @mvg180
And it was welcome relief after a torrid time in his personal life.
Last week, Van Gerwen's father was sadly diagnosed with cancer.
And in May, he announced his split from wife Daphne before pulling out of upcoming tournaments.
The pair had been together since 2008 before getting married in 2014, the same year as his first World Championship win.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN DARTS
BLOW HIS DOUBLE TOP Price and Gurney in heated clash on stage at World Matchplay Darts
But against Van Barneveld, Van Gerwen had a special guest watching on.
Daughter Zoe, 7, is the eldest of his two children with Daphne — the other being son Mike, 5.
And she was present as Van Gerwen booked his place in the next stage.
Speaking after the game, MvG declared that Zoe had bought a 'calmness' to his game.
Advertisement
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
And being able to spend quality time with her between matches was also the perfect antidote to his personal issues.
Van Gerwen said: 'We have a day off tomorrow. I can relax a little bit more and spend some time with my daughter.
Michael van Gerwen makes major change as he returns to darts for first time since announcing divorce
'She is here for the first time and I really enjoy that.
Advertisement
'My dad had an operation, he had cancer last week, that's why I'm playing today.
'I'm in the middle of a divorce. I brought my daughter to give a bit to myself.
'But for the rest, I feel good. I feel more calm now and think from here on I can make steps.
'Of course the first rounds are always tough. But I hope we see a more relaxed version of me, that would be nice and fair to me.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Alex Jones had ‘no idea' about complaints made against Jermaine Jenas
Alex Jones had ‘no idea' about complaints made against Jermaine Jenas

Western Telegraph

time18 minutes ago

  • Western Telegraph

Alex Jones had ‘no idea' about complaints made against Jermaine Jenas

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was removed from the presenting team at BBC's Match Of The Day and The One Show following alleged issues relating to workplace conduct. Before he was sacked in August, Jenas had been a regular pundit on sports programmes and a presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live. Alex Jones attending the 2025 Bafta Television Awards with P&O Cruises at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in London (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Jones, 48, who co-presented with Jenas on The One Show, told the Big Issue she did not know about the complaints until he had left. She said: 'I very much take people on face value. But with JJ [Jenas] I didn't know what was going on. 'I had no idea. I thought he was taking extended leave. 'The BBC didn't share with me what was going on until they actually dealt with it. And, you know, they did what they thought was right. 'If that was my daughter and she felt uncomfortable with someone's behaviour, I hope that whatever company she was working for would deal with it swiftly as well.' Jermaine Jenas insists he has taken responsibility for the conduct which led to his dismissal (Nigel French/PA) After being sacked from the BBC, Jenas apologised, saying he had done 'nothing illegal' and that 'inappropriate messages' sent were 'between two consenting adults'. Months later, Jenas' wife, Ellie Penfold, announced the couple had split up after 16 years together. In a statement on her Instagram story, Penfold said: 'I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it's necessary. 'After 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways. 'We will remain friends and continue to co-parent.' Alex Jones and Jason Manford stand outside Western House, London, after appearing on Chris Evans's Radio 2 breakfast show (Fiona Hanson/PA) Jenas returned to broadcasting on TalkSport radio in February after the outlet distanced itself from him in the wake of his departure from the BBC. It is not the first time Jones has had a co-presenter leave The One Show with Jason Manford, who joined the programme at the same time as her in August 2010, resigning only three months into the role for sharing sexual internet messages with female fans. Despite co-presenting on the show for a few months, Jones said she is still 'really good pals' with Manford. – The full interview with Alex Jones can be read in this week's Big Issue, on sale now.

World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler BEATS James Wade and makes HISTORY to take home title
World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler BEATS James Wade and makes HISTORY to take home title

The Sun

time35 minutes ago

  • The Sun

World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler BEATS James Wade and makes HISTORY to take home title

LUKE Littler has WON the World Matchplay in Blackpool - and has made HISTORY in the process! Teenage sensation Luke Littler made history by becoming the youngest triple crown winner ever, winning the World Championship, Premier League Darts and now World Matchplay. James Wade featured in his SEVENTH World Matchplay final against him, but was unable to stop the continuous rise of Luke Littler at the Winter Gardens. Llast year's champion Luke Humphries suffered a SHOCK first round exit against Gian van Veen, with his English teammate Littler taking the title from him.

Luke Littler eyes mammoth Phil Taylor record after historic World Matchplay win
Luke Littler eyes mammoth Phil Taylor record after historic World Matchplay win

Metro

timean hour ago

  • Metro

Luke Littler eyes mammoth Phil Taylor record after historic World Matchplay win

Luke Littler is not ruling out breaking Phil Taylor's monumental record in the World Matchplay after winning the event for the first time on Sunday night. The 18-yaer-old turned in a stunning performance to beat James Wade 18-13 in a brilliant final in Blackpool. The world champion finished the match with a blistering average of 107.24, throwing 17 180s over the piece. Wade enjoyed the dream start to the match, racing into a 5-0 lead, and played beautifully for most of the contest, incredibly averaging 101.54 over 31 frames and still losing. Littler was in untouchable form, though, and expects to be for a long time to come as he is already having a look at Taylor's absurd record of 16 World Matchplay titles. The Power made the Blackpool event his own, so much so that the trophy is named after the legend of the oche, and it was stirring for the Nuke to get his hands on it for the first time. 'It means everything,' he said. 'Obviously he came here on his last Matchplay and picked up the trophy. To win it 16 times, Phil was the player he was, but just to get my name on the trophy means a lot.' On his chances of reaching 16 titles himself, Littler added: 'That's the only thing, its carrying on for that amount of time, but maybe in the next 16 times I might have broken it. I might come back every year and just win it! 'I want to conquer everything in this sport and I've ticked this one off tonight. I want to win one of everything and we'll see what happens from there.' Littler has given himself a target of ticking off every major PDC title once and few would doubt that he can achieve that, but what would come next? 'That's what everyone's probably thinking, what do I do after I've won one of everything,' he said. 'But for myself, just build on it, get multiple of everything. get triple of everything. But yeah, once I win one of everything I won't pack it in just yet.' When the dream becomes a reality❤️ means the world to have my hands on the Phil Taylor trophy and complete the triple crown🏆 — Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) July 27, 2025 The teenager is not short of targets and before 16 World Matchplays and one of every title, he is eyeing up the world number one spot, which he is yet to claim in his career. Despite Littler's incredible success so far in his career, Luke Humphries has held onto the top spot in the rankings, but the Nuke knows he could usurp him by the end of the year. 'Obviously I've looked at the rankings, provisional world number one for the Worlds, if Luke doesn't defend all that prize money,' he said. 'Obviously I don't want him to, I'd love to be world number one.' Littler landed a record 64 180s in his World Matchplay campaign, beating the previous high watermark of 56 set by Adrian Lewis in 2013. More Trending It was a stunning string of performances from the world number two, including a nine-darter against Josh Rock in the semi-finals. Wade also enjoyed a fabulous tournament, returning to the Blackpool final for the first time since 2015, remarkably his seventh Matchplay showpiece. His run was ended in the final by Littler, just as it was at the UK Open this season, but his performance was massively better on Sunday than it was in Minehead, when he was brushed aside 11-2. MORE: Luke Littler names darts rival with best mentality in the sport MORE: Signing Viktor Gyokeres makes it a win-or-bust season for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal MORE: Alexander Isak odds: Would Newcastle really sell their star striker to Arsenal or Liverpool?

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store