MVG turning a deaf ear to the quiet life
Michael van Gerwen has no intention of blocking out the Ally Pally chaos with earplugs.
The world No. 1 has been taken aback by the louder atmosphere at the new lay-out of the Wi l l iam Hi l l World Championship venue.
Throughout the first round, players made reference to the close proximity of the punters and the searing noise which accompanies the matches.
Stars such as champion Gary Anderson, 16- t imes winner Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld have star ted using earplugs to drown out the mayhem.
But van Gerwen loves it and said: “I will never buy earplugs. I do not think it’s good.
“It’s like in football when someone plays well with green football boots on. Then everyone wants to wear green boots.
“Phil and Raymond are not the only ones who wear those earplugs. It’s their choice. If they think it makes them perform better, they should do it.
“But for me the party is partly also the charm of darts.”
The raucous atmosphere at darts events – with the alcohol flowing and fans dressing up in costumes – has lifted the profile of the sport.
However, some snobs still look down on it and van Gerwen didn’t even get an invite to Holland’s Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in 2014.
This time he got a ticket but no nominations – despite winning 18 tournaments in a fantastic 12-month spell.
Van Gerwen knows darts is tarred with a “pub-game” brush and is tired of the jibes. He said: “Darts is sport. The word ‘pub- game’ has nothing to do with darts.
“The amount of money associated with the tournament also sends out a signal now.
“Physically and mentally you have to be very fit. That’s what people do not realise.
“I often talk about it but the words go nowhere because they have made their mind up and have their prejudices in place.
“It takes time but it’s al l becoming more professional.
“The unions use all means to prevent match fixing and we also have doping controls.”
Van Gerwen will get his chance to display the sport at its finest tonight with a second-round clash against Darren Webster, who ousted Scotland’s John Henderson in round one.
The world No.1 was almost the victim of a first-round shock himself when German Rene Eidams pushed him to a tie- break but the in-form ace reckons that has taught him a valuable lesson.
Van Gerwen said: “That told me again you cannot afford to slacken off for one second.
“I didn’t feel bad during the game but it shows what can happen if you’re not at your best. This is a new game though.
“I feel I’m in good shape and in good position to do well in the tournament.”