“We may have to say goodbye to that in the time ahead” – Van der Voort tempers expectations around Van Gerwen
A familiar face offered a stark reminder of change in the upper echelons of darts this week. On the podcast Darts Draait Door, Vincent van der Voort — longtime friend and colleague of Michael van Gerwen — delivered a message that undercuts the myth of perpetual dominance surrounding the three-time world champion.
“A semifinal of the European Championship is just good. For him, the 96-average floor on the floor isn’t bad. But it’s not the Van Gerwen of ten years ago. Maybe we’ll have to say goodbye to that in the near future. That we measure him by what he’s done recently.” (Dartsnews.com)
A Reality Check for Mighty Mike
Van Gerwen’s recent form has been solid, but far from the stratospheric heights his fanbase once expected. Van der Voort’s words carry weight: he isn’t dismissing Van Gerwen’s ability — in fact, he praises it — but he’s insisting that the benchmark needs adjusting.
- Van Gerwen reached the semis at the European Championship and continues averaging 96-plus in tour events. (Dartsnews.com)
- Van der Voort acknowledges: “You can’t say he’s not throwing anything,” yet he asserts the era of comparing him directly to his peak years might be over. (Dartsnews.com)
Why This Matters
Van Gerwen’s group at the upcoming 2025 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts is brutal: Gary Anderson, Beau Greaves and Niko Springer await. Van der Voort sees this not as a curse but an opportunity — quality opponents can sharpen the Dutchman rather than expose him.
“These are players who are all throwing well at the moment… Van Gerwen actually benefits from strong opposition. That keeps him sharp.” (Dartsnews.com)
For a man who built a legacy on dominance, van der Voort’s remarks suggest the sport’s dynamics are shifting — and even the greatest must adapt.
The Big Takeaways
- Benchmarks Have Changed: Van Gerwen won’t be judged necessarily by past world title runs but by how consistently he stays among the elite.
- Pressure Redefined: He’s still expected to contend, but van der Voort implies the expectation to dominate may be unrealistic now.
- Opportunity vs Threat: Facing top rivals won’t threaten his legacy — according to van der Voort — but could reignite his competitive edge.
What Happens Now?
With the Grand Slam looming, all eyes are on Van Gerwen: Can this version of the Dutch star adapt to a sport evolving around him? Van der Voort believes the talent is still there:
“He can show his level in no time, because he has already done that a few times this year. He needs to work back to his best level.” (Dartsnews.com)
But he’s also clear: the era of automatic dominance may be over.
“So we may have to say goodbye to that in the near future. If you compare him to then, he’ll never be good again.” (Dartsnews.com)
Final Word
In the eyes of van der Voort, Michael van Gerwen is still a force — but one whose greatness must now be measured differently. As younger stars rise and the field tightens, a legend’s legacy isn’t just defined by past triumphs but his ability to evolve.
In short: Mighty Mike is still mighty — but he won’t always be measured on the same scoreboard.
