Michael van Gerwen plans to play darts for at least another 10 years and thinks he’s still a dangerous player for everyone else at the World Championship.
Van Gerwen comfortably came through his first match at Alexandra Palace with a 3-0 win over James Hurrell and will play Brendan Dolan in the third round, live on Sky Sports Darts on Saturday, December 28.
The Dutchman has not won a televised tournament in 2024, which is the first time he has not won a tournament in a calendar year since 2011.
“If you look at my rankings this year, I’m still in the top four or five. Can you imagine when I play well again? I will be really dangerous!” said Van Gerwen.
He added: “I’ve re-signed my contract with Winmau for another 10 years, so I will be on the scene for a little bit longer and I enjoy what I do. That’s the only thing that counts.
“If I don’t win another two or three world titles, I will be disappointed. But I know I can do it.”
Van Gerwen went through a period where he was almost unbeatable on the PDC Tour as he won three world titles in 2014, 2017 and 2019.
The 35-year-old was once touted to push Phil Taylor’s record of 16 World Championships but now thinks it is a near-impossible task.
“No, but you never know. I still love what I do, and as long as I keep loving what I do, then we’re going to see,” he said.
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Watch every nine-darter hit at the PDC World Championship
“What else am I going to do? That’s my always the question I ask myself, what else am I going to do?
“I don’t have enough other things or hobbies to fill in all that time. Of course, my kids and wife are really important in my life, but darts is a really big part of my life, and everyone knows that.
“They know it’s my life as well. It’s not only that I do it because it’s my job. I also do something that I love. It’s my passion. It’s my life. I’ve been doing it for the last 25 years.
“I’ve been in the PDC for nearly 18 years, and I had, God knows how many tournaments I played in. So for me, it’s not a battle. It’s something what I love to do.”
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Van Gerwen is still confident of his chances at the World Darts Championships despite underperforming this year
Van Gerwen: A lot of pressure on Humphries and Littler
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler are the two favourites for the World Championship but are on course to meet in the semi-finals, so there will not be a repeat of last year’s final.
Van Gerwen is not in their half and is favourite to reach the final from his section of the draw, especially after Gary Anderson was knocked out early.
“I still know there’s always eyes on my back because everyone wants to get me out of the tournament,” said Van Gerwen.
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“Of course, there’s going to be a lot of pressure on the two Lukes [Humphries and Littler] as well, but it is what it is. You have to deal with the circumstances.
“If it’s right, left, I don’t care. I just need to make sure I keep performing. I’ll keep winning my games.
“When you do well, that’s the price you pay, you’re going to be in the spotlights. And of course, you want to be in the spotlight. And I think that’s good. That’s what you want. Otherwise, you’re not a professional, simple as that.”
Watch the World Darts Championship on Sky Sports
Live darts returns to Sky Sports at the PDC World Darts Championship after the Christmas break, with four consecutive days of double sessions at the Alexandra Palace starting on Friday, December 27.
World No 1 Humphries plays Nick Kenny in the evening session on Friday, while reigning Premier League champion Littler headlines Saturday night when up against Ian White.
Elsewhere, Van Gerwen faces Dolan (Saturday) and fellow former world champion Gerwyn Price entertains Joe Cullen (Friday).
The players have a night off on New Year’s Eve ahead of the quarter-finals held across two sessions on New Year’s Day, with the semi-finals on January 2 and the final on Friday January 3.
The full day-by-day schedule for this year’s tournament can be found here.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live until January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.