SUDS LAW FOR MVG
Van Gerwen’s bid to stay at No.1 was scuppered after hurting his back showering with his wife!
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN’S battle to stay at No.1 became a soap opera after hurting his back – while taking a shower with his wife.
The three-time world champion has been at the mercy of sud’s law since he coughed under the highpressure jets in his luxury bathroom.
But Van Gerwen is ready to turn on the taps full-blast at London’s Alexandra Palace when he opens his bid for a fourth title at the William Hill PDC World Championship next weekend. Gently riled by all-time great Phil Taylor’s barb that he’s not even the greatest player to come out of Holland, let alone the greatest of all time, MVG will be on a mission when he meets Ryan Murray or Lourence Ilagan in round two on Saturday.
Never mind ‘ The Power’ – mind how you go in the shower.
Van Gerwen’s back problems go back three years, but he aggravated the injury before last month’s Grand Slam in Coventry and he revealed: “I had serious problems. I had full hospital checks, but I feel good now.
“It was a twitch and nerves behind my ribs, against my lungs, so that part of my body was in pain. How did start? I didn’t slip over in the shower, as some people say. I coughed. I was with my missus in the shower. Me and my wife always shower together. It’s good.
“I was sitting in the shower, I started having a cough and pulled my back. That is how it happened.
“The most important thing was that my lung and heart were OK, no problem whatsoever. It has not been my best year, but I never make excuses when I don’t win. Always blame yourself if you play badly, otherwise you will never get any better.”
Van Gerwen has completed his dream home in Holland, including a large trophy room. “Don’t worry – I have loads of room for more trophies,” he grinned. “But only winner’s trophies. Runner-up trophies are not allowed in my trophy cabinet.”
The building project, and wife Daphne giving birth to the couple’s second child, Mike, during lockdown, were welcome distractions from the madness of Covid-19.
But Van Gerwen insists chasing a fourth world title is not the be-all and end-all. He said: “I know a lot of people in darts who don’t really have friends. Never do anything outside of darts. I have a life outside of darts. That’s my No.1. Darts is my No.2.
“I love to perform, and that has gone a bit – no crowds, the coronait virus, you don’t know what to do any more. But I see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”
Van Gerwen was well beaten by Peter Wright in the final at Ally Pally 12 months ago.
But if he needs any inspiration to climb the mountain again, he need look no further than the signed portrait on his wall at home of tennis superstar Roger Federer, a man who has been at the top for so long.
“I admire people for what they achieve in their sport,” he said. “Of course you look into that - keep working hard, believing in yourself and it will come back. It’s not flushed down the toilet, is it?”