Michael van Gerwen says Littler-Van Veen incident blown out of proportion: “Nothing really happened, otherwise I’d have been in the papers every week with Taylor”

Michael van Gerwen has brushed off the recent clash between Gian van Veen and Luke Littler in Manchester, insisting the situation has been blown out of proportion and is simply part of elite-level sport.

Speaking ahead of his Premier League Darts return in Rotterdam, Van Gerwen made it clear he has no interest in fuelling the narrative. He suggested far more intense moments occurred earlier in his career — particularly during his rivalry with Phil Taylor — without attracting the same level of attention.

“Listen, there have been a million incidents over the years,” he said. “People like to make stories out of things and try to make them bigger than they are. Nothing really happened — it’s just emotion, and that’s part of the game.”

Focus on Rotterdam return

While others focus on the controversy, Van Gerwen’s attention is firmly on performing in front of a home crowd. Playing in the Netherlands, he admits, brings added pressure but also extra motivation.

“We don’t get many big-stage events in Holland, so when we do, you want to deliver,” he said. “There’s always more pressure, but that’s part of it — you want to give the fans something special.”

Despite sharing the spotlight with fellow Dutchman Van Veen, Van Gerwen does not believe it changes anything. “We’ve had that before. It’s just part of the sport,” he added.

Tight race for the play-offs

The three-time world champion heads into Night 11 after a solid showing in Brighton, though he believes he could have collected more points.

“If I’m honest, I should have had a few more points,” he admitted. “But you have to keep battling. Every match matters if you want to finish in the top four and reach the O2.”

He also welcomed the increased competition this season, highlighting the impact of rising talents like Van Veen and Josh Rock.

“They deserve to be here,” he said. “It’s not up to me to decide who plays — I just focus on my own game.”

Backing Van Veen

Van Gerwen had strong praise for compatriot Van Veen, who will experience his first Premier League night on home soil.

“He’s a fantastic player and a great guy,” he said. “For him, the most important thing is to enjoy it. Those moments are special — I remember my first time, it’s magical.”

Managing expectations

Returning to a passionate Dutch crowd, Van Gerwen knows expectations remain high, even if he admits things have changed compared to his peak years.

“People expect a lot because they know what I can do,” he said. “I may not expect the same from myself as five or ten years ago, but I still know what I’m capable of.”

Handling that pressure, he added, is one of the toughest parts of the sport — but his love for the game remains unchanged.

“I still love playing and performing on stage. That’s what matters most.”

Clayton clash awaits

Next up, Van Gerwen faces table-topping Jonny Clayton, who has been in strong form.

“He’s playing well and things are going his way,” Van Gerwen said. “Fair play to him — but I need to stop him in Holland.”

That match comes after a frustrating defeat where Van Gerwen let a 5–2 lead slip, but he remains philosophical.

“There’s a long way to go. You can’t be too hard on yourself.”

Focused on his own path

Van Gerwen also reiterated that while he is not a fan of the Premier League format, his focus is simple — win matches and let his darts do the talking.

“I hope people underestimate me,” he said. “That only motivates me more. At the end of the day, I just need to do things my way.”

As he returns to Rotterdam, Van Gerwen is ready to perform in front of a sea of orange — determined to deliver for the home crowd once again.