Michael van Gerwen admitted to being “emotional” as he struggled to keep the tears from flowing after his convincing victory over Luke Littler. The Dutchman defeated Littler 10-6 in the first round of the World Matchplay in Blackpool.
Van Gerwen has been below his best in 2024, but the three-time world champion was closer to his peak with a 101.93 average and was 43.5 per cent on checkouts, setting up a second-round clash with Joe Cullen.
He has watched on as Littler and world champion Luke Humphries have taken the title of being the biggest stars in darts over the past eight months, but such a statement win over the former meant that Van Gerwen afforded himself to get caught up in the moment.
“I’m always emotional,” Van Gerwen said in his press conference. “Especially after this win because there were a lot of stories about this game, I was not the favourite, I have been having a tough last six months and then to win games like this it does something with me – of course.
“But I only see it in a good way and in a positive way. It means that I still like what I do and it still does something for me, if it doesn’t do anything for you anymore for me it’s time to retire, I am not in that position yet and I wouldn’t be in the next five, six, seven, eight or 10 years. I am going to keep annoying him.
“It’s too early to say that I am back, it’s a big statement but I am in a good way. Don’t worry about me, I know what I am capable of and mentally I am strong enough, but you have to keep digging, you have to keep grafting, you have to keep working and keep investing time in yourself otherwise you are never going to make it.”
After an early exchange of breaks, Van Gerwen led 3-2 and 6-4 at the intervals before taking four of the last six legs to seal an impressive victory.
The 35-year-old had drawn the unseeded Littler in a nightmare first round, but claimed his sixth win in 10 meetings with the teen to prove that he is still among the world’s best despite a difficult few months.
He lost in the World Championship quarter-finals to Scott Williams on New Year’s Day and did finish joint-third in the Premier League Darts table before losing to Humphries in the play-off, but will admit to not having lived up to expectations.
But Van Gerwen will hope that a Matchplay victory over Littler can help propel him back to the lofty heights he has been accustomed to.
