MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has hinted that issues away from the oche played a role in his shock World Masters exit — but stopped short of addressing his private life directly.
The three-time world champion suffered a surprise first-round defeat in Milton Keynes, crashing out 3-1 to Australia’s Damon Heta in a performance well below his usual standards. Van Gerwen averaged just 88, a figure rarely associated with one of the most dominant players the sport has ever seen.
In the aftermath, speculation quickly grew that matters off the dartboard may have contributed to the Dutchman’s early exit, especially after close friend Vincent van der Voort revealed Van Gerwen had been dealing with what he described as a “sledgehammer” in his personal life.
However, when given the chance to clarify matters himself, Van Gerwen remained guarded.
Speaking after the match, the 36-year-old acknowledged that it had been a difficult period but made it clear he did not want to go into detail.
“Sometimes things happen that make it hard to focus,” Van Gerwen said. “But I’m not going to talk about my private life. That stays private.”
While refusing to elaborate, his comments did little to dampen the sense that external factors may have affected his preparation and mindset heading into the tournament.
Van Gerwen had shown encouraging signs earlier in the year, winning the Bahrain Darts Masters and finishing runner-up at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, prompting optimism that he was rediscovering his best form after a challenging 2025 season. The World Masters defeat, though, was a stark setback.
Asked whether he felt ready heading into the event, Van Gerwen admitted it had been a tough week.
“I tried to be ready. I always try to be ready,” he said. “But darts is a mental game as much as anything else, and if your head isn’t right, you get punished.”
Despite the disappointment, Van Gerwen was keen not to make excuses or take anything away from Heta’s performance.
“Damon played well and deserved to win,” he added. “In this sport, if you’re not there, you’re out. It’s as simple as that.”
The PDC icon has endured a turbulent spell away from competition in recent months, and while he remains one of the biggest names in the game, questions continue to swirl about how personal challenges may impact his consistency going forward.
For now, Van Gerwen is keeping his focus firmly on darts — and keeping the details of his private life firmly out of the spotlight — as he looks to bounce back on the Pro Tour and in the Premier League. 🎯
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