“FORMER darts star Vincent van der Voort has expressed his concern for his friend and world No3 Michael van Gerwen. The iconic thrower has had a difficult year both at the oche and in his personal life. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Michael van Gerwen has had a difficult time over the”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
The iconic thrower has had a difficult year both at the oche and in his personal life.
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Michael van Gerwen has had a difficult time over the past yearCredit: Alamy
Vincent van der Voort says he is concerned for his Dutch palCredit: Getty On his podcast ‘Darts Draait Door,’ fellow Dutchman and pal Van der Voort has opened up on the effects that his year may be having on his mental health.
After a year of disappointments in competition, Van Gerwen announced that he would not be pursuing his final chances to qualify for the Players Championship finals at Minehead next month.
It is impossible to separate these lacklustre performances from his situation away from the spotlight, as he navigates a divorce from his wife of 11 years, Daphne.
In an announcement that he would not feature at Minehead, Mighty Mike explained that he would be spending time away with his two children.
He will hope to be refreshed and raring to go when he makes his return at the World Championships in December.
Speaking on MVG’s absence from the competition, which he has won six times in his career, Van der Voort said: “It suits his year – it’s been a year of nothing.
“Especially on the Pro Tour. He played a lot, but didn’t perform.”
But the retired star also acknowledged the heavy toll that his personal life has had on him in recent months.
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Aside from the stresses of his divorce, Van Gerwen, 36, has also had to deal with his father Henri’s battle with cancer this year.
Van der Voort says he can see the effect of the difficult past months in his friend, adding: “I understand what’s happening at home for him.
“I’ve spoken to him – you can tell he puts on a brave face in public, but behind that there’s emptiness. It’s all hitting him.”
Van der Voort, 49, also expressed concern for the three-time World Champion’s methods of navigating his hardship, with detractors pointing to his busy lifestyle as proof that he is sidelining his own darts career.
Van Gerwen has made appearances in Ibiza and Tomorrowland festival in recent months, and generated further headlines when he was involved in an altercation at a kebab shop last month.
Van der Voort continued: “Because he’s doing all these other things, people think, ‘Oh, there he goes again, skipping darts for something else.’
“I believe he’s genuinely struggling, but it comes across oddly. You can go to festivals and everything, but then not play darts for two days? Maybe it’s mental.
“If that’s the case, he needs to step away completely. Once you show up at a tournament, you’re judged on performance.
“He’s really struggling with himself now. For example, the dogs are gone—it’s quiet and empty at home. I understand that he wants to go out for dinner, to get away.
“That might make more sense than sitting on the couch on a Saturday night thinking too much. I understand it, but I’m worried about his career.”
Van Gerwen announced his split with wife Daphne earlier this yearCredit: Instagram / @mvg180
The couple have two kids togetherCredit: Instagram @mvg180 It’s clear that the road to normalcy, both in his personal and professional life, is a rocky one, but MVG has continued to march on.
He has expressed optimism in regard to his father’s health, and has said that he and his former wife are working together to make sure their children come above all else as they split.
He said: “My dad is OK and now he has seven weeks of radiotherapy and probably chemotherapy. After that hopefully everything is fine.
“They think that they have removed everything for the second time in 18 months.
“Sometimes things are more important in life.”
He affirmed that though his life has changed, he is simply taking time to battle through and adapt, and will be back to his best imminently.
“Everything is different now with me,” he explained, “I need to find a new routine.
“Of course it’s going to take another couple of months before I’m 100 per cent settled in. I’ll be back, don’t worry!”
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123