sportskeeda
‘I transformed for a reason’ – MVG determined to shake off unwanted TV curse
Self-assured Michael van Gerwen has promised Dutch fans that he will secure a place in the Premier League playoffs, despite experiencing an unusual jersey incident.
Two weeks ago, the 35-year-old Dutch star faced a “silly” situation where he hurt his shoulder while trying on darts shirts for his sponsors, jokingly remarking: “I feel like an old man already.”
This painful injury compelled him to withdraw from the Berlin Premier night, leading to a 6-0 default win for Gerwyn Price, which has left MVG sitting fifth on the leaderboard – only the top four players make it to the semifinals at London’s O2 Arena on May 29.
Over the last 12 years, the seven-time champion has only missed the final four of the £1 million tournament once.
Van Gerwen is scheduled to compete against Stephen Bunting in front of passionate home supporters in Rotterdam on Thursday, yet he asserts that the “fire” for success remains strong, despite not having won a TV title in 15 months.
He shared: “I’m free from pain now. It’s still a bit stiff, but it doesn’t affect my darts.
“I suppose it’s just my luck, having the wrong arm. Maybe I need to get a new one!
“The fire in my belly is still very much alive. The frustration lingers when I don’t perform at my peak.
“When you look back at the past, you may feel stuck, but it’s essential to focus on the future.
“I switched darts for a reason. It was to distract myself. When you’re not entirely comfortable, a change can be beneficial, but it didn’t go as I had hoped.
