Michael van Gerwen has been absent from the oche for a month after he announced his split from his wife, but is returning to the stage this week, claiming “everything is under control”.
The world no 3 has endured a difficult 2025 so far.
After making it to the World Championship final at the start of the year, in which he lost to teenage sensation Luke Littler, it has been a downward struggle for MVG.
In the Premier League, it was clear to see he was struggling as he didn’t record a single nightly win - whilst he also failied to qualify for the playoffs for only the second time in 13 years.
Nathan Aspinall knocked Michael van Gerwen out of the Premier League this year
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The 36-year-old had announced that he and his wife were splitting, leading to him taking a month away from the oche after his Premier League exit to focus on family issues.
MVG has since announced his return to the stage with the US Darts Masters this weekend, confirming he has the “space in my head” to come back.
Speaking to Sportnieuws.nl, van Gerwen said: "Everything is kind of under control now. I have space in my head again to return to the oche. Darts at the highest level is what I love to do the most.
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The Dutch star said 'everything is under control now'
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"Everyone knows it's been a very eventful period for me. But you can't dwell on the past. I have to move on, I have to work again and find pleasure in what I'm doing again."
MVG’s time away from the oche has been focused on arranging his personal matters with a particular focus on his two children.
Zoe (7) and Mike (5) were described as his “everything”, although he was keen to deflect any attention from his personal life, indicating it was a “private matter”.
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"A lot of people ask me things, but this is a private matter. Nobody has anything to do with that. What people think about it doesn't affect me. The most important thing for me is that things are good for my children," he said.
"I'm old and wise enough. Zoe and Mike are my everything. I have to take care of them, and I do that with full conviction."
MVG’s woes on and off the oche have been well-documented, with his Premier League performances garnering huge critics from darting legends.
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Michael van Gerwen will return to the oche in the US Darts Masters on Friday
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His concern, though, was the media scrutiny surrounding his personal life.
"Whether I look left or right, it's all over social media. It's actually too crazy for words, but it's part of it," he admitted.
“What people say doesn't affect me anymore. This is not the first storm I've experienced.
"All of a sudden they [the media] were at my door from RTL Boulevard, while I was picking up my kids from school. They said they happened to be in the neighbourhood - yes, of course.
“What they were doing in Vlijmen? No idea. But I don't care much about that. I just want to do what is best for myself. From that position I can show great things again."
Van Gerwen will be hoping his time away from the oche and focus on his family will help him re-focus on his darts.
The world no 3’s victory in the German Darts Grand Prix in April, in which he produced a stunning nine-dart finish, is the only title the Dutchman has won this calendar year.
The US Darts Masters kicks off on Friday, June 27.
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