Michael van Gerwen is pressing ahead with his World Darts Championship campaign next week despite his father Henri's gruelling fight against cancer.
The Dutch star, a three-time world champion, will face Japan's Mitsuhiko Tatsunami in his opening match at Alexandra Palace.
It has been a tremendously challenging twelve months for the 36-year-old, both on and off the oche.
Van Gerwen reached last year's final at the north London venue but fell to teenage sensation Luke Littler, narrowly missing out on a fourth title.
Michael van Gerwen has revealed his father's struggles with cancer
|PA
His professional struggles have been compounded by deeply personal difficulties away from the sport.
Supporters will be watching closely to see whether the Dutchman can rediscover the form required to mount a serious challenge against defending champion Littler and former world number one Luke Humphries.
Henri's health situation has deteriorated significantly over recent months.
Surgeons removed his nose approximately eighteen months ago, and just two months past, doctors excised all of his lymph nodes.
The extensive procedures have left him unable to taste or swallow food, requiring tubes for sustenance.
Van Gerwen spoke candidly about his father's condition to The Guardian: "Not too good, he is sick. They amputated his nose one-and-a-half years ago, and two months ago they cut away all his lymphs."
He continued: "They cut them everywhere so he can't taste any more, he can't swallow any more. He has tubes so it's not going too good."
Henri has endured months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy throughout this year.
Michael van Gerwen has endured a difficult year so far | GettyDespite his diminished quality of life, the elder Van Gerwen remains invested in his son's career.
"His quality of life is bad but he still tells me off when I don't do well. He'll be watching me in the Worlds," Van Gerwen revealed.
Beyond his father's illness, Van Gerwen is simultaneously navigating the breakdown of his marriage to Daphne.
The couple share two children and spent seventeen years together, with nearly eleven of those as husband and wife.
Their separation has added another layer of emotional turmoil to an already demanding period.
Van Gerwen acknowledged the difficulty of processing such a significant life change whilst maintaining his competitive edge.
"We were 17 years together, nearly 11 years married," he told The Guardian.
"You need to give yourself time to let it go. Sometimes you get thrown back to reality and then you need to try to move out of it again. I can do it."
The Dutchman's resilience in the face of such personal upheaval speaks to his determination to remain competitive at the highest level.
Micheal van Gerwen split from his wife earlier this year | Instagram @mvg180Van Gerwen remains resolute in his ambition to claim a fourth world crown, despite enduring what has been a difficult season by his lofty standards.
The arrival of his children fundamentally altered his approach to the sport and life more broadly.
"It has made me understand what's most important in life," he explained. "It has to be family. Of course I love darts but I love my kids much more."
His form has suffered, with runners-up finishes in the 2020, 2023 and 2025 World Championships representing three consecutive final defeats.
Yet the Dutchman maintains an unwavering self-belief that better days lie ahead.
"If you don't know how to lose, you never can be a great winner. Simple as that," he reflected.
"No one has to tell me," he declared. "I tell myself I'm going to win."