09-05-2025
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.
