Luke Littler reckons Michael van Gerwen has to win without a home crowd behind him, if the Dutchman wants to prove he is really back to his best.
MVG was in sparkling form as he beat Littler in Amsterdam to win the World Series of Darts Finals on Sunday, prevailing 11-7 against the world champion.
That was the climax of an incredible final day, which also saw Van Gerwen beat Luke Humphries and Josh Rock on his way to the £80,000 top prize.
It was the sixth time MVG has won the World Series of Darts Finals, but it brought an end to a trophy drought for the legendary Dutchman, which stretched back two years in heavyweight PDC events.
The Nuke was disappointed to lose, but praised his rival and said he was glad to see him firing again on a big stage.
‘It was another good tournament for myself,’ said Littler. ‘Michael was playing some of his best darts this weekend.
‘It’s good to see him back. He’s had a tough time, but if he keeps playing like that, we’re going to have some great battles.’
The world champ added on social media: ‘Really good seeing @mvg180 back playing his best and congrats on the title.’
Littler has now challenged Van Gerwen to prove that he is really back and it wasn’t just a flash in the pan on home soil.
Speaking at the launch of a Target Darts pop-up shop on Manchester, the world champion said: ‘Like I said on stage, Michael, is he back?
‘Obviously he played very well, but for ourselves as the players, he’s just got to bring that form out of his home country and hopefully he can perform in England.’
He added: ‘Like Michael said, he’s not been away. He’s just not been performing.’
Van Gerwen has been going through a difficult time off the oche, going through a divorce from his wife of 10 years.
He told Dutch publication AD earlier this month: ‘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.’
He added: ‘I still love darts and I’m not reluctant at all. But 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.’
Getting the better of Littler, as well as the likes of Humphries and Rock, may well help Van Gerwen with his motivation at the board and was certainly relishing his triumph in Amsterdam.
‘I have goosebumps – it’s amazing to hold a trophy again,’ he said after beating the Nuke. ‘Everyone knows I’ve had a difficult time in the last few months, but to win in front of my home crowd means a lot to me.
‘I was playing some fantastic darts, and that gives you energy, that gives you joy, and I’m really glad I could perform like this. It means the world to me.
‘I had to dig really deep to do this. I still love what I do, and hopefully this is the beginning of a bright future for me.’
World-leading darts manufacturer Target Darts opened the UK’s ultimate darting pop-up experience in Manchester to celebrate their biggest-ever product launch. For more details on the latest darts products, please visit: www.target-darts.co.uk.
