Darts star Michael van Gerwen’s miserable year from Luke Littler loss and bizarre injury to split from wife Daphne
Michael van Gerwen, the Dutch darts legend known as “The Green Machine,” endured a challenging 2025 marked by professional setbacks, a bizarre injury, and a personal split from his wife, Daphne Govers. The three-time PDC World Champion, ranked world No. 3, faced stinging losses, notably to teenage prodigy Luke Littler, alongside physical and emotional hurdles that tested his resilience, drawing parallels to the scrutiny faced by tennis star Jannik Sinner (Sportskeeda, May 24, 2025).
Professional Struggles: Littler’s Dominance and Premier League Exit
Van Gerwen’s 2025 was defined by high-profile defeats, most notably to 18-year-old Luke Littler, who claimed the PDC World Darts Championship title on January 3, 2025, crushing Van Gerwen 7-3 at Alexandra Palace (BBC Sport, Jan 3, 2025). Littler, averaging 102.73 with 12 180s, outshone Van Gerwen’s 100.69 average and poor 14/38 doubles, breaking Van Gerwen’s record as the youngest PDC champion (The Guardian, Jan 3, 2025). Littler’s dominance continued, defeating Van Gerwen in multiple 2025 encounters, including a 6-1 thrashing at the European Tour with a 110.57 average (@livedarts, Oct 20, 2024).
Van Gerwen’s Premier League campaign was equally dismal. He was eliminated in Sheffield on May 22, 2025, losing 6-2 to Nathan Aspinall, missing the playoffs for only the second time in 13 years (The Guardian, May 23, 2025). His season included six first-round losses in Players Championship events, with shock defeats to world Nos. 111, 94, and 71 (The Irish Sun, May 24, 2025). Raymond van Barneveld attributed Van Gerwen’s struggles to fatigue, while Aspinall noted he “didn’t look himself” (The Irish Sun; Wales Online, May 24, 2025).
Bizarre Injury and Withdrawals
A freak neck injury sidelined Van Gerwen from the Premier League night in Berlin on April 3, 2025. Friend Vincent van der Voort revealed it occurred while trying on sponsor shirts, leaving Van Gerwen barely able to move despite physiotherapy and muscle relaxants (The Irish Sun, May 24, 2025). He also withdrew from the International Darts Open and five other PDC events for various reasons, including family commitments and a broken toe sustained on a Thailand holiday (Daily Record, Jan 25, 2025). These absences, coupled with first-round exits in Leicester’s Players Championships, hampered his momentum (GB News, Apr 10, 2025).
Personal Heartache: Split from Daphne
On May 24, 2025, Van Gerwen announced his separation from Daphne Govers, his wife of 11 years since their 2014 marriage (Wales Online, May 24, 2025). The couple, who began dating in 2008 and have two children, Zoe (7) and Mike (5), faced a “difficult time,” prompting Van Gerwen to withdraw from the Dutch Darts Championship (GB News, May 24, 2025). His statement requested privacy, reflecting the emotional toll (The Irish Sun, May 24, 2025). This personal upheaval mirrored the off-court pressures faced by Sinner, who dodged invasive questions about his love life (Sportskeeda, May 24, 2025).
Defiance Amid Criticism
Despite his struggles, Van Gerwen hit back at “lazy” jibes, calling 2025 a “rollercoaster” but emphasizing his fight (@SunSport, May 19, 2025; @Record_Sport, May 18, 2025). His 2025 World Championship run to the final, defeating Callan Rydz and Chris Dobey, showed flashes of brilliance, though marred by a viral on-stage expletive (Wikipedia, May 24, 2025). X posts, like @RJongmans’ “Is Michael van Gerwen burnt out?” and @Record_Sport’s report on his Sheffield exit, captured fan concern (@RJongmans, May 21, 2025; @Record_Sport, May 22, 2025).
Looking Ahead
Van Gerwen’s 2025, with Littler’s rise, a debilitating injury, and his split from Daphne, tested his mettle. Yet, his history of 47 PDC majors and a defiant spirit suggest a comeback is possible (Wikipedia, May 24, 2025). As he navigates personal and professional recovery, Van Gerwen’s resolve, like Sinner’s focus under pressure, signals he’s far from done.
