Michael van Gerwen totally ignores criticism: 'I have to just answer with performances'

Michael van Gerwen has spoken out about the criticism he has faced in recent months. The 36-year-old Dutchman is experiencing a difficult 2025, struggling with shaky and inconsistent performances.

Some critics even argue that he has lost his appetite and is no longer working hard enough, a suggestion with which Van Gerwen totally disagrees. "I’ve been working and practising a lot. Of course, it doesn’t always pay out, but I’m doing the work," the Dutchman responded in conversation with Online Darts. "What you have to do and what you want to put in and, of course, at some point it will pay out. I know that."

Although colleagues such as Luke Humphries and Luke Littler are currently winning one title after another, Van Gerwen especially does not want to forget how intense his career has been for years. "Sometimes when you’re too busy, people don’t know my schedule. Maybe only Phil Taylor, maybe Luke Littler now, but no-one else my schedule in the last 13, 14, 15 years, so it’s difficult for them to judge about it," he says. "They’ve never been in that position. I have to just answer with performances and it’s the only thing I can do."

He partly understands the criticism that he is no longer at his top level, but does not let it discourage him. "I’ve been in tough positions before as well, I had some other tough patches in my life, but you always survive. I know what I’m capable of. Believe in your own ability and then the rest will come automatically," he insists. "You’re going to have tough patches, but as long as you keep believing that everything is possible. And that’s what I keep grab of and hold of, to make sure that’s going to happen."

“It’s like a big rollercoaster at the moment and things don’t always go my way. Too many games, I have to battle too much and then you make it hard for yourself. I shouldn’t put myself in that position, but sometimes that’s the way how things go," Van Gerwen continues. “I’m a human being as well and I know I’m capable of it, and then when you don’t show it, you get frustrated, you get annoyed and you want to do better, but don’t worry. I’m still going, and I still love what I do. You also need to look to reality. When you play poorly, you play poorly. You can have a big mouth, but you have to show it on the dartboard and that’s the only thing I can do at the moment.”

Despite the disappointing results, he remains confident in his own abilities. "Of course, I say, when I’m on top of my game, I know I can beat anyone, probably be the best player in the world. But I don’t show it enough at the moment and that’s a question I have to answer myself to solve it and to make sure I’m going to turn it."

According to the three-time world champion, there is also no point in looking back. “When you’re facing the past, your back [is] against the future and I want to face the future. I’m getting older. I’ve been in the game for a long time. I’ve played darts for more than 25 years now and sometimes it gets a bit harder. Then you need to try to invest more time into yourself. But I’m willing to do that and I feel good. I feel comfortable and I think there’s more in the tank."

And anyone who thinks he is distracted by the achievements of others is wrong. "I’ll never look to someone else because you can keep looking, but it’s not going to change anything. You have to change yourself and that’s the only answer you can get. As long as I keep enjoying the game, from there on, anything is possible.”