Michael van Gerwen opens up on recent ‘difficulties’ after World Series of Darts victory over Luke Littler

Ben McCaffrey

By Ben McCaffrey, 


Published: 15/09/2025

- 09:02
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The 36-year-old ended his two-year spell without a televised tournament victory on Sunday

An emotional Michael van Gerwen has opened up on his personal “difficulties” after he stormed to an 11-7 victory over defending champion Luke Littler in the World Series of Darts on Sunday evening.

It had been more than two years since the three-time world champion tasted victory in a televised tournament, and he broke the duck on home soil with this weekend’s event being hosted in Amsterdam.

In an enthralling match-up, Littler boasted a higher average but consistently went into the breaks down against the Dutchman.

It was the 18-year-old’s failure to check out 30 on his throw to level the tie at 7-7, with MVG quickly moving to a 9-6 lead that ultimately left too much for the Nuke to do.

Michael van Gerwen

An emotional Michael van Gerwen has opened up on his personal 'difficulties' after he stormed to an 11-7 victory over defending champion Luke Littler in the World Series of Darts on Sunday evening

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MVG then recorded the highest check-out of the match, 130, in extraordinary fashion to secure the 11-7 victory and lift the title for the sixth time.

"This is amazing," Van Gerwen said after the match, visibly moved. "We all know where I am coming from and the difficulty I have had in the last few months. To do this in front of your home crowd, it means a lot to me.

"To do this in front of your home crowd is nice, but I was also playing some nice darts. That gives you energy and joy. I'm really glad I could perform like this.

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"I've never been away! I needed to dig really deep to do this. This took a lot of energy.

"I still love what I do, people need to understand. I love to play, whether that be in Holland, England, Germany. It means the world to me."

MVG, widely considered one of the greatest to ever play the sport, has endured a rocky spell on and off the oche in recent times.

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The Dutchman had not won a televised event since 2023 and has been going through a divorce after his split from wife Daphne.

Prior to the final, van Gerwen candidly spoke on the “mess” he has been struggling with away from the oche.

"At some point, you want to think about nice things again, not just be preoccupied with the mess you're experiencing at that moment.

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Michael van Gerwen

In a touching moment, Michael van Gerwen let his daughter, Zoe, lift his latest title

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"I couldn't write this script myself, so I'll have to deal with it in a way I think is right.

"You could just sit around and grieve all day, but that's pointless. So you do fun things, take time for yourself."

“I have all sorts of balls to juggle. I'm still in the middle of the divorce.

"Not everything will be fine within a few days. You're dealing with the final settlements, the aftermath. You have to do that carefully, without mistakes."

“Since having my children, I've always said that darts is no longer my number one priority. My children are my number one priority, and then everything else comes.

"But ultimately, it's my livelihood, and if you're good at darts, you can give more to the kids. It's all interconnected; I'm very aware of that."

And the seven-time champion was joined by his daughter, Zoe, on stage to lift the trophy in a moment that undoubtedly will be one he will cherish for the remainder of his career.

With the winless duck broken and a victory in front of the adorning home fans, Mighty Mike will be hoping he can put his “messy” personal situation behind him and return to the form that has secured him a place as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

DartsSport