In the latest episode of the Darts Draait Door podcast, Damien Vlottes and Vincent van der Voort delivered a candid evaluation of Michael van Gerwen’s recent performances. Once the undisputed world number one, Van Gerwen’s dominance is now being challenged, as highlighted by his heavy defeat to fellow Dutchman Gian van Veen at the Antwerp event.
Van der Voort remarked, “He really sank through the lower limit—scoring just 90, while on the Pro Tour he still averaged 122 in a match. This contrast between very high peaks and frequent mediocrity is concerning.”
Both hosts pinpointed a lack of structured practice as a key issue. “No athlete becomes the best in the world without consistent training,” Van der Voort stressed. Vlottes added that Van Gerwen’s throwing technique looked labored during the match, warning, “Until he practices regularly and structurally, I don’t see him returning to his former level.”
The discussion also touched on Van Gerwen’s personal challenges, including his ongoing divorce. Van der Voort expressed sympathy but emphasized the demands of elite sport: “Top sport requires focus and discipline, even during difficult times.” Vlottes agreed but noted, “Personal struggles might explain a dip in sharpness, but they’re no excuse to stop training.”
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Meanwhile, younger competitors like Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are advancing rapidly. Van der Voort observed, “Those young players work every day and are hungry. Michael relies too much on talent and experience, but that’s not enough anymore.”
As a close friend, Van der Voort’s critique carries weight. He urged Van Gerwen to take responsibility: “It’s his career, and he must decide how to handle it. If he wants to be the best again, he needs daily hard work.” He concluded, “He used to hit a 105 average effortlessly. Now he has to work hard for it, and currently, he’s not doing enough.”
