Michael van Gerwen has spent years making the world’s best darts players look ordinary, but the Dutch superstar now faces a very different challenge: proving that he still belongs among the sport’s elite. His recent results have raised uncomfortable questions about his decline, yet the three-time world champion is refusing to accept that his greatest days are necessarily behind him.
And with Luke Littler continuing to command attention across professional darts, Van Gerwen has made one thing clear: the prospect of facing the young superstar at the World Darts Championship does not frighten him. His message is not that he is currently the better player, but that writing him off could be a serious mistake.
Van Gerwen Admits He Is Not at His Best
What makes Van Gerwen’s comments particularly interesting is that he has not tried to pretend everything is going perfectly. He has openly acknowledged his struggles, admitting: “If you look purely at form, I’m not one of the best players in the world right now.”
He also recognises the importance of consistency, explaining: “As a top player, you have to perform consistently, and I’m not doing that at the moment,”
That honesty matters. Rather than blaming everyone else for his disappointing results, Van Gerwen accepts that he needs to improve his own performances. However, he also believes his current position does not accurately reflect his ability.
He added: “Still, I feel I should be above many of the players currently ahead of me. It’s up to me to show that I still belong there.”
For me, that is the most revealing part of the interview. Van Gerwen knows he has work to do, but he has not lost the belief that made him one of the most feared players in darts.
And confidence is important in a sport where a few missed doubles can completely change the direction of a match.
Recent Defeats Show Why Questions Are Being Asked
There is a reason Van Gerwen is facing questions about his form. His recent performances have not consistently matched the standards he established during his dominant years.
At the World Series of Darts Finals, he allowed a lead against Daryl Gurney to slip away. Ryan Joyce subsequently eliminated him from the World Grand Prix, adding another disappointing result to a difficult period.
Van Gerwen was honest about his own responsibility, saying: “I often let myself down,”
He continued: “These defeats hurt, of course, but fortunately I can take a lot. I want to turn things around as soon as possible. It doesn’t always happen, though.”
Those words show the frustration of a champion who understands what he should be producing but has struggled to deliver it consistently.
However, it would be a mistake to treat every defeat as proof that Van Gerwen can no longer compete with the best. Darts can be brutally unforgiving, and even elite players can lose matches when their finishing deserts them at crucial moments.
The bigger question is whether he can turn occasional flashes of quality into sustained performances against the leading contenders.
That is where the coming weeks could become particularly important.
Van Gerwen Is Working on His Throw
One encouraging detail is that Van Gerwen is actively trying to address the technical problems affecting his game.
He is working with fellow Dutchman Vincent van der Voort to make his throwing action smoother. The objective is to improve the fluidity and consistency that have helped him dominate opponents throughout his career.
Explaining the adjustment, Van Gerwen said: “It’s all about fluidity. We want to make my throw a little smoother. Sometimes there’s a slight hitch in it, and I’m trying to iron that out.”
He added: “Everything takes time, but I can feel my level rising again.”
That final comment offers a reason for cautious optimism. Technical changes do not produce instant results, particularly when a player has spent years relying on a familiar throwing rhythm.
Still, Van Gerwen appears convinced that improvements are possible.
The challenge is translating those improvements into tournament victories. Feeling better in practice is one thing; reproducing that level under pressure against someone like Littler is another entirely.
If the adjustments begin to work, however, the rest of the field could have a much more difficult opponent to deal with.
Why Luke Littler Should Still Take the Warning Seriously
Littler has become one of the biggest names in professional darts, and his presence has changed the conversation around the sport. His performances have raised expectations, while his growing profile has made him a major attraction at tournaments.
But Van Gerwen’s comments serve as a reminder that experience and reputation should never be dismissed.
The Dutchman has won the PDC World Championship three times, lifting the trophy in 2014, 2017 and 2019. Those victories came during a period when he regularly set the standard for everyone else.
He has not won another world title since 2019, and he understands that he is not entering the upcoming championship as the favourite.
Nevertheless, he refuses to rule himself out.
Speaking about the possibility of facing Littler at his best, Van Gerwen said: “That could be Luke Littler at his best, too. It doesn’t bother me.”
He also warned: “Darts can turn on a knife-edge. Sometimes things can change quickly.”
That is a fair point. A world championship is not won on reputation alone, and the pressure of a long tournament can create opportunities for players who might otherwise be considered outsiders.
Littler would rightly fancy his chances against Van Gerwen based on their respective positions, but nobody should assume that a meeting would be straightforward.
A confident Van Gerwen playing near his best remains a dangerous opponent for anyone.
The Fourth World Title That Still Drives Him
Ultimately, Van Gerwen’s ambitions remain tied to the World Darts Championship. A fourth title would add another remarkable achievement to his career and silence some of the doubts surrounding his current level.
He knows the task will be difficult, but he has not abandoned the dream.
“I also think I have to do it. If I can’t achieve that any more, I’d be disappointed. I have to believe in myself,” he explained.
There is something compelling about that determination. Van Gerwen could easily allow his previous achievements to define his legacy, yet he still wants to prove that he can win the biggest prize in the sport again.
Whether he can achieve that goal remains uncertain. His recent results suggest there is plenty to improve, while his technical adjustments will need time to deliver meaningful results.
But writing him off before the championship begins would be premature.
Final Thoughts
Michael van Gerwen has admitted that his current form is below the level expected of a player of his calibre, but he has also made it clear that he has not surrendered his ambitions.
His warning to Luke Littler is not a declaration that he is already back at his best. It is a statement of belief from a three-time world champion who knows what he can achieve when everything clicks.
For Littler, the message is simple: Van Gerwen may not be the favourite, but he still believes he can cause problems for the very best.
Do you think Van Gerwen can win a fourth World Darts Championship title, or has Littler already established himself as the man to beat? Share your thoughts.
You will come back stronger keep going when littler has won as much as you he can say hes a great player he is too arrogant and very immature come on mvg you are one of the greatest