Michael Van Gerwen blasted for taking too many holidays with darts star planning to jet to IBIZA and skip next month's World Cup of Darts
Michael van Gerwen has been told to take fewer holidays and focus on his darts if he wants to regain his best form by close friend Vincent van der Voort.
The three-time world champion has endured an inconsistent season, going out in the round of 32 at last week's European Grand Prix, before losing 6-4 to Luke Humphries in their Premier League quarter-final in Leeds on Thursday.
Despite struggling for form, the 36-year-old Dutch star is ditching next months World Cup of Darts in favour of a trip to Ibiza.
Earlier this year, the seven-time Premier League darts winner suffered with health problems for two months after picking up an illness while on holiday in Thailand.
Van der Voort, a former UK open runner up, warned his compatriot he 'can't just take a holiday' if he wants to rediscover his best darts.
The 49-year-old told the Darts Draait Podcast: 'Sometimes he plays really well, but then he can't keep it up. He's going to have to train hard.
'He needs to put in the effort or he'll never find consistent form again.
'You can't just take a holiday and expect things to fall back into place. It doesn't work like that.'
Van der Voort previously backed Van Gerwen's holiday, which he said would allow him to be 'fresh' for the remainder of the season.
'I think he'll be on a very big boat near Ibiza around that time. It's all very inconvenient, of course,' he said.
'Playing for your country is a great honour, but let's be honest, the World Cup of Darts was somewhat forced into the calendar.'
'We looked at the schedule, and Michael wants to be at his best in the autumn. That means something has to give.
'He wants to be fresh for the second half of the year, which is why his holiday falls during the World Cup. It's a matter of making choices.
'The World Cup just has a lower priority at the moment. Maybe he'll return to it next year.'
The seven-time Premier League Darts winner faces Nathan Aspinall in Aberdeen next week
Meanwhile, Professional Darts Corporation Chief Executive Matt Porter supported his decision.
'[Players] have to manage their schedule you know.
'The good thing about our tournaments is that they are strong enough to survive the absence of players.'
Van Gerwen currently sits in fourth in the Premier League Darts table, a single point ahead of Nathan Aspinall, before they face each other in Aberdeen next week.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Benjamin Sesko to Arsenal transfer update as Mikel Arteta makes final decision
Mikel Arteta could finally have a new striker at his disposal as Arsenal progress in their bid to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a crucial transfer window for the Gunners Arsenal face an important summer in the transfer market as they once again attempt to bridge the gap to finding success under Mikel Arteta. For third year in succession the Gunners finished as runners-up in the Premier League and probably missed an opportunity along the way. Arteta is keen to see his squad strengthened in the coming months and a new striker is top of the agenda. The Gunners have been linked to a long list of players, including Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres. It is not the only position Arsenal hope to improve in however. Nico Williams remains of interest for Arteta and Morgan Rogers, Real Madrid star Rodrygo and Leroy Sane are all said to be shortlisted. There are just two days remaining of the first transfer window of the summer. Arsenal won't have long to wait until it is once again available to them on June 16. Mirror Football takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumours around the Emirates below. Sesko talks scheduled Arsenal are set for more talks for the transfer of Benjamin Sesko, as the Gunners attempt to finally land a new forward. There is no agreement in place between the north London side and RB Leipzig just yet but they have already pencilled in another round of talks with positive feelings over reaching an agreement according to Sky Sports Germany. Leipzig still await an official offer from Arsenal, and have placed a price-tag of £60m on the 22-year-old star. Striker convinced Arsenal are solely focused on landing Benjamin Sesko and advancing their course to get a deal over the line, with no move for Viktor Gyokores expected currently, per reports. The deal is said to be advancing well for Sesko, as the consensus appears, with Mikel Arteta proving convincing. It is claimed that Sesko has been 'sold on Arteta's project' having decided to remain in Germany last season amid the Gunners' long-term interest. The 41-cap Slovenia international now appears prepared to leave. Zubimendi concern Martin Zubimendi has two reasons to reject a move to Arsenal with Real Madrid lurking in wait. The Gunners have an agreement in place with Real Sociedad over the transfer but Zubimendi has yet to have a medical and has said he expects a long summer. Reports in Spain suggest that Zubimendi would prefer to remain in his home nation however, eve if he is to leave Real Sociedad. AS claim Zubimendi is 'attracted' to the idea of playing for Real Madrid under Alonso too, having previously played under him for Real Sociedad B. Real Madrid are interested in the 26-year-old and new Los Blancos boss Xabi Alonso is said to have made the player his primary target. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Top Gear
an hour ago
- Top Gear
You could own* this Le Mans-spec Aston Martin Valkyrie LM
Motorsport *Euromillions win likely required. How better to spend it than on a Le Mans special? Skip 13 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Anyone else spotting a trend? First we had the track-only Ferrari 499P Modificata, then the road-going Glickenhaus 007s, and just last week the (sort of) road-going Porsche 963. And now this : the Aston Martin Valkyrie LM. No prizes for guessing what the initials stand for. Launched to celebrate Aston's tilt at Le Mans glory this weekend – its first since the DBR1 conquered La Sarthe in 1959 – the Hypercar-derivative bandwagon has come full circle, because the LM is a track-only plaything. Only 10 will be built. Advertisement - Page continues below Like the AMR Pro, the LM goes without the, er, standard Valkryie's hybrid system and makes do with that piffling 6.5-litre Cosworth V12. Except the aim is to make it 'fully accessible to amateur drivers', so Aston's stuck with the regulation 697bhp and not the full 1,001bhp we know that engine's capable of. Yep, it's a My First Valkyrie… In fact, the goal is to change as little as possible from the homologated Hypercar without giving you a back door into the Le Mans 24hr itself. So ballast and FIA-mandated electronics have been thrown out, and a 'user-friendly' open-loop torque control system replaces the competition-style closed-loop sensors. You might like Meanwhile the V12 has been recalibrated for fuel you can actually get hold of, and… erm, that's about it. Like the racecar you still get a seven-speed sequential transmission with semi-automatic paddleshift, and the suspension remains insanely complex: double wishbones front and back, plus pushrod actuated torsion bars with adjustable side and central dampers. Aston says the setup has been optimised for track day driving, and it's fitted bespoke performance boots from F1 shoemaker Pirelli. Advertisement - Page continues below Ah, the cockpit's been tweaked actually; for better safety, access and visibility, says Aston, and all customers get their own custom carbonfibre race seat featuring an FIA-grade six-point harness. Just as well you won't be dealing with toll booths in this. The steering wheel integrates shift lights and a driver's display. Doubt it'll run Apple CarPlay, that. Those 10 lucky owners have the option of taking full possession of the LM themselves, or you can let Aston look after the car and enrol in a tailored development programme complete with driver coaching, simulator sessions and classroom prep to get the most out of your (likely very expensive) machine. Aston will even supply you with a helmet, HANS device, overalls, gloves and racing boots, moulded earpieces (because V12) and… fireproof undies. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. 'In all its forms, there is nothing on Earth that compares to Valkyrie,' says Aston CEO Adrian Hallmark. 'The Le Mans contender is unique amongst its peers, not least the breathtaking 6.5-litre V12 engine that provides the beating heart for the only competitive hypercar bred from a road car. 'Valkyrie LM is an exquisite opportunity to be part of the most exclusive Aston Martin owners club in the world; a group who can immerse themselves in the purest and most comparable endurance driving experience, one that would otherwise only be available to our works drivers operating at the very limit of sportscar racing's highest echelon. The LM will be ready to play with in the second quarter of 2026. Who knows, if Lance Stroll's wrists are still playing up and Aston's reserve drivers are pulled away from Le Mans at the last minute, you might just earn yourself a call-up…
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Soccer Lewandowski will not play for Poland under current coach after losing captaincy
June 9 (Reuters) - Robert Lewandowski said he will not play for Poland again under the current manager, shortly after the striker was stripped of the captaincy role on Sunday. Poland coach Michal Probierz made the decision to replace Lewandowski as national team captain with midfielder Piotr Zielinski. "By decision of coach Michal Probierz, Piotr Zielinski became the new captain of the Polish national team," a Polish football federation (PZPN) statement said. "The coach personally informed Robert Lewandowski, the entire team and the training staff of his decision." Lewandowski's response via social media was swift. "Considering the circumstances and the loss of trust in the Polish national team coach, I have decided to step back from playing for the Polish national team as long as he remains the coach," Lewandowski said. "I hope I will have the chance to play again for the best fans in the world." Lewandowski is not with the current Poland squad, with the Barcelona player citing physical and mental exhaustion after a long season as the reason for his absence. The 36-year-old is Poland's highest goal scorer with 85 goals for his country in a record 158 appearances, and had held the captaincy since 2014. Probierz replaced the sacked Fernando Santos as Poland manager in 2023, taking them to Euro 2024 where his side were the first team to be eliminated. The PZPN said Probierz will respond to questions on the situation in a press conference on Monday. Poland defeated Moldova 2-0 in a friendly on Friday and are away to Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
