Latest news with #VincentVanDerVoort
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘It's becoming a real issue' – Luke Littler fired career warning over ‘draining' problem
LUKE LITTLER has been warned that getting BOOED by fans could seriously harm his career. The teen sensation was heavily jeered at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt before suffering a shock at the hands of Germany to exit the tournament in the second round. 3 3 3 World No2 Littler was also heckled during a Premier League visit to Berlin earlier this year and received a negative reception in Hildesheim on the European Tour. Former pro Vincent van der Voort expressed concern over the way Littler is being jeered by fans abroad after witnessing it at the US Darts Masters in New York last weekend. He said: 'It's becoming a real issue, especially when you consider how long his career could be. 'He was getting booed a lot in Germany at first, but now it's spreading. I was in New York last weekend and even there, the crowd was giving him a hard time.' Five-times major winner Littler reached the quarter-final of the US Masters but was knocked out by Nathan Aspinall despite averaging 109 and thumping in six 180s. Van der Voort recalls Littler looking frustrated after the World Series event due to the heckling he faced from the Madison Square Garden crowd. He added: 'He wasn't happy at all. The truth is, he's only really popular in England – and not even everywhere there. Outside of the UK, he's getting booed pretty much everywhere now, including in the US. 'There's got to be a shift. You don't want to be travelling from tournament to tournament and feel like no one's behind you. That's draining, especially at his age.' BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Teen sensation Littler sealed a 6-1 win against Jules van Dongen in round one at the Big Apple with a spectacular 120 checkout, hitting three tops. Van der Voort pointed to Littler's on-stage showmanship and off-stage comments as reasons for the growing backlash. Being made an MBE shows I've helped 'change face of darts' says Luke Humphries He admitted: 'It's the things he says and the way he carries himself. They're not helping his cause. 'You can turn people against you quickly in this sport if you're not careful.' The Dutchman stressed the importance of Littler having the right support system. He explained: 'It's unfortunate he doesn't seem to have the right people around him — people who can guide him, help him make better decisions, and teach him what's smart and what isn't. 'That's crucial at this stage. When you're 18, you think you know it all. But you don't. Later in life, you realise your parents were right about a lot more than you gave them credit for.'
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Michael van Gerwen PULLS OUT of tournament at last minute after shock first round exit as pal gives worrying update
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has withdrawn from the Players Championship 16. It comes following his first round exit in the previous stage of the Players Championship, with his pal claiming the "belief isn't there". Van Gerwen, 36, was beaten 6-5 by outside Dominik Gruellich. It is the sixth first-round loss of this year's PDC ProTour for the Green Machine, who has lacked his usual form. His compatriot Vincent van der Voort is a little concerned, as Van Gerwen is failing to show the attributes that made him one of the world's best. Van der Voort said on the Darts Draait Door podcast: "When I see how things are going, the belief just isn't there. "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 form means he is also at risk of missing out on qualifying for the finals night of Premier League Darts. He currently occupies the final spot in the top four, but is just one point ahead of Nathan Aspinall. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘I was stunned' – Darts icon lifts lid on Michael van Gerwen backstage bust-up with Dutch ace throwing rival over table
DARTS star Kim Huybrechts has lifted the lid on a crazy backstage bust-up that saw Michael van Gerwen throw a rival over a table. The Belgian recalled the story when appearing on the Darts Draait Door podcast. 3 3 Huybrechts explained how he and the three-time World Champion had been warming up ahead of a tournament with Rowby-John Rodriguez. The 39-year-old claimed: "It all started when Michael and I were practising together with the Austrian player Rowby-John Rodriguez before a tournament. "Rowby was winding Michael up by throwing very slowly. Michael was due to play his match soon, so he asked him to speed up. "But instead, Rowby provoked him even more by throwing even slower and chatting to me in between. "Michael probably should've just gone to another board to continue his warm-up, but that was never going to happen. "He's a stubborn guy. It escalated into a confrontation and they ended up nose to nose. Michael used a bit too much brute force and flung Rowby straight over the table." The incident itself happened in front of several players, while Mighty Mike had ended up throwing Little John, 31, over a table with drinks belonging to around ten players. One of these included Van Gerwen's close friend Vincent van der Voort, who was more concerned about his spilt drink than the fight. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Huybrechts continued: "The first thing Vincent said was to ask who was going to pay for his drink. "Officials stepped in, and Vincent even tapped one on the shoulder to ask how they were going to sort out his drink. "Rowby-John was lying somewhere in the middle of it all and everyone had to hold Michael back. "I was standing there, stunned." Van Gerwen finished runner-up at the World Championships at the start of this year but later won the German Darts Grand Prix. Huybrechts himself is ranked 48th in the world, with Rodriguez ranked 151st and Van Gerwen third.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘It doesn't work like that' – Michael van Gerwen brutally warned by darts rival over taking too many holidays
VINCENT VAN DER VOORT has warned darts rival Michael van Gerwen away from taking too many holidays. The three-time world champion is hoping to return to his best after health struggles, and the emergence of breakthrough young talent such as Luke Littler, have seen his dominance wane. 2 2 And former UK Open finalist Van der Voort has been sceptical of MVCG's scheduling plans, with his Dutch compatriot set to miss next month's World Cup of Darts in favour of a holiday to Ibiza. The 49-year-old said on the Darts Draait Podcast: "Sometimes he plays really well, but then he can't keep it up. He's going to have to train hard. "He needs to put in the effort or he'll never find consistent form again. "You can't just take a holiday and expect things to fall back into place. It doesn't work like that.' Van Gerwen's jet-setting has not roundly been met only with criticism. Professional Darts Corporation Chief Executive Matt Porter showed some understanding in conversation with Online Darts. He said: "[Players] have to manage their schedule you know. "The good thing about our tournaments is that they are strong enough to survive the absence of players." Van Gerwen, 36, had a disappointing weekend at the European Grand Prix, going out early in the Round of 32. He will hope to upturn his form against Humphries in the quarter-finals of the Premier League on Thursday night. The must-win game will be a tough match-up as his opponent is currently flying in the league standings - second only to Littler. The battle for the league play-offs is fiercely contested and Van Gerwen will not be able to afford many more slip-ups.
