'It's not ranked, I can't really gain anything': Michael van Gerwen isn't sure if he will return to World Cup of Darts

Michael van Gerwen has admitted that he is unsure whether he will return to the World Cup of Darts as it sits down on his priority list with a holiday as well as his ranking being more important in his mind.

Exclusively revealed by DartsNews.com last month, Van Gerwen will skip the World Cup of Darts again. Made official on Wednesday, Van Gerwen spoke recently to Online Darts at an exhibition in Newcastle about his reasoning and that he will go to Ibiza, a familiar haunt this time of the year for the Green Machine.

"It's not top of my priority list. The PDC knows that, my management knows that. I think I have other things to worry about more. My ranking has to be maintained or do better. To do better is my main priority. The World Cup is a nice tournament to win but it's not ranked. I can't really gain anything. I need some time off with my family as well," he said to Online Darts.

"In that period I go for a nice week away with my wife I think it's a good reason. I go to Ibiza of course.

Asked whether perhaps if he had a quicker player or someone less reserved than Danny Noppert alongside him, he said it perhaps would change his mind but also remained clear that he is not a huge fan of the tournament.

"Yeah maybe but I've played with a lot of different people over the years. I like it but I also don't like it, it's a tough one."

He was also quizzed about the £1m first prize for the World Championship. Being pretty clear about his dislike for the rankings in the past, Van Gerwen said it remains. But that given he can't do anything about it, he has to fight for what he needs and that is the million.

"The PDC and of course with the fans and all the players I think is doing a great job to get darts this far. Years and years ago we could only dream of having a million first prize for the World Championship. Now it's a reality so fair play to those who made it happen."

"Of course it's time to change the ranking system but do you know what I don't really care anymore. Just try to win that million and for that rest I don't really care. Where you are in the rankings, two wrongs don't make a right. if the ranking is out of contrast, it's out of contrast but if they don't want to change, they don't want to change."

"Everyone knows my opinion and I can tell everybody but it's not going to change anything anyway. This moment you need to be realistic and it's not a reality at this stage. You need to make sure you're maintaining your form."