Michael van Gerwen’s Nightmare Season Gets Worse as Swiss Darts Trophy Exit Makes History
Michael van Gerwen has conquered almost everything professional darts has to offer, but even one of the sport’s greatest champions cannot escape a difficult season. His latest disappointment at the Swiss Darts Trophy has added another unwanted chapter to a campaign that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
The three-time world champion suffered a 6-4 defeat to Mensur Suljovic in Basel on Saturday, October 10, crashing out at his first hurdle despite entering the tournament as the fifth seed. More concerningly, the result marked the fourth time in 2026 that Van Gerwen had lost his opening match at a European Tour event, something he had never experienced across a single season since the tour began in 2012.
For a player who once seemed capable of intimidating opponents before throwing his first dart, that statistic makes uncomfortable reading. Van Gerwen remains one of the biggest names in darts, but his latest setback raises serious questions about his consistency, confidence on the big stage and ability to return to the top of the sport.
Suljovic Delivers Another Blow to Van Gerwen
Van Gerwen entered the Swiss Darts Trophy hoping to make a statement, but Suljovic had other ideas.
The Austrian produced an impressive performance to secure a 6-4 victory, extending his winning streak against the Dutchman to four consecutive matches. It was another reminder that Van Gerwen can no longer expect opponents to be intimidated by his reputation alone.
Suljovic started strongly, breaking Van Gerwen’s throw with a 14-dart leg before following up with a brilliant 138 checkout on double nine. He established an early advantage and continued to put pressure on the former world number one.
Van Gerwen fought back to level the match at 2-2, showing flashes of the quality that has made him such a dangerous competitor throughout his career. However, missed opportunities at crucial moments allowed Suljovic to regain control.
The Austrian eventually moved within one leg of victory, leaving Van Gerwen needing something special to keep his tournament alive.
The Dutchman managed to win two consecutive legs and threatened to force a deciding leg, but his comeback ultimately fell short. He missed two darts at double 16, allowing Suljovic to finish the job and seal another significant victory over his illustrious opponent.
It was the sort of match Van Gerwen might once have expected to turn around through sheer determination and scoring power. Instead, Suljovic remained composed and punished the mistakes.
A First in 14 Years Makes the Defeat More Concerning
Losing a darts match is hardly unusual, even for a player of Van Gerwen’s calibre. The bigger concern is the pattern developing throughout his European Tour campaign.
This was his fourth opening-match defeat at a European Tour event in 2026, marking the first time he had suffered that many such exits in a single season since the tour was established in 2012.
That statistic tells a worrying story because European Tour events provide valuable opportunities for elite players to compete regularly, earn ranking money and build momentum ahead of major championships.
Van Gerwen has managed to reach the semi-finals at the Belgian Darts Open and Czech Darts Open this year, demonstrating that he still possesses the ability to compete deep into tournaments. However, those performances have been accompanied by too many disappointing early exits.
Consistency has always been one of the defining characteristics of his best years. When Van Gerwen was at his peak, opponents knew they often needed exceptional performances simply to stay competitive against him.
Now, his recent results suggest that the gap between him and the chasing pack has narrowed considerably.
That does not mean his best days are necessarily behind him, but it does mean he needs to find answers quickly.
The Problem Is Bigger Than One Tournament
Van Gerwen’s Swiss Darts Trophy disappointment did not arrive in isolation.
He also suffered an early exit at the World Grand Prix, where Ryan Joyce defeated him. Then, in September, he was eliminated from the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam by Daryl Gurney despite having multiple opportunities to win the match.
Against Gurney, Van Gerwen squandered six match darts after moving into a strong position. For a player with his experience and finishing ability, that was an especially painful defeat.
The Swiss Darts Trophy result has continued that frustrating pattern. Van Gerwen has shown that he can still produce excellent darts, but translating those performances into consistent victories has become a challenge.
There is an important distinction between a player who has lost his ability and one who is struggling to deliver his best performances consistently. Van Gerwen’s results suggest the latter, although only his performances in the coming weeks will reveal whether he can turn things around.
The pressure is increasing because professional darts is becoming more competitive. Younger players are arriving with confidence, established rivals remain dangerous, and there are fewer opportunities to coast through matches against opponents who are simply happy to share the stage.
Van Gerwen cannot rely on past achievements to win future matches. His opponents know that, and Suljovic’s victory demonstrated it once again.
His Ranking and Premier League Future Could Be Affected
The consequences of Van Gerwen’s difficult season extend beyond individual tournament results.
Professional darts rankings are based heavily on prize money earned over a two-year period. Consequently, players who previously collected large sums must continue producing strong results to protect their positions.
Van Gerwen faces the possibility of dropping out of the world’s top 16 by the end of the year if his results do not improve and his rivals continue accumulating ranking money.
That would be a significant development for a player who spent years challenging for the number one position.
His Premier League future has also become a talking point. Selection for the competition is not determined solely by the world rankings, but sustained success and performances on major televised stages remain important considerations.
Van Gerwen has won the Premier League three times and remains one of its most recognisable figures. Nevertheless, his disappointing 2026 campaign has prompted questions about whether he should automatically be considered for another place.
Those discussions might seem harsh given everything he has achieved, but elite sport rarely allows reputations to guarantee future opportunities indefinitely.
Van Gerwen Still Has Time to Respond
Despite the growing concerns, writing off Van Gerwen would be premature.
He won the Nordic Darts Masters in June, defeating Luke Humphries 8-7 in a thrilling final. That victory showed he can still perform under pressure and beat elite opposition when his game comes together.
The challenge is reproducing that level consistently across ranking tournaments and major championships.
His next opportunities will be important, particularly with the remaining major events offering chances to rebuild momentum and strengthen his position.
Van Gerwen has experienced difficult periods before, and his competitive personality has often helped him respond to setbacks. However, he will need more than reputation and determination to overcome the current problems.
Improved finishing, greater consistency and better performances in decisive moments would go a long way towards changing the narrative surrounding his season.
For now, Suljovic deserves full credit for his victory, while Van Gerwen must confront the reality of another disappointing result.
What Happens Next for the Dutch Superstar?
Van Gerwen’s fourth opening-match defeat on the European Tour in 2026 is a worrying milestone, but it does not erase his achievements or mean he can no longer compete with the best.
The real concern is whether these setbacks represent a temporary slump or a more prolonged decline in consistency. His victory in Copenhagen earlier this year proves he still has the ability to win big matches, but his recent defeats show that ability alone is not enough.
The coming tournaments could prove crucial as he attempts to protect his ranking, silence his critics and remind the darts world why he has been such a dominant figure for so long.
Do you believe Michael van Gerwen can return to his best and challenge for major titles again, or are we witnessing the beginning of a difficult new chapter in his career?