Michael van Gerwen has announced he will miss the Players Championship Finals for the first time in his career. The Dutch darts champion withdrew from the ProTour event in Wigan on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, effectively ending his pursuit of qualification for the prestigious tournament scheduled to take place in November at the Butlins Minehead Resort.
Currently ranked 93rd in the Players Championship Order of Merit, van Gerwen was already outside the qualifying spots for the tournament. He could have potentially improved his position with a strong performance in the remaining qualifying events but has opted to prioritize family matters instead. The 36-year-old three-time world champion has decided to skip the last three qualifying events to focus on his personal life amidst significant challenges.
Van Gerwen’s withdrawal follows a difficult year marked by his separation from his wife, Daphne van Gerwen, after 11 years of marriage. In addition, his father, Henri van Gerwen, is battling cancer, prompting the player to take a step back from the sport to spend time with his children. In a statement to Darts World, he emphasized, “Everyone knows what has happened and right now, my focus is solely on my children.”
The emotional toll of his family situation is clear. He expressed the importance of providing love and attention to his children during this challenging time. “Obviously, the news about myself and their mother affects them enormously,” he added. “This is a decision that was already in place. I know my fans would like to see me in Minehead, but I assure them I will be back very soon.”
Van Gerwen has faced a challenging season on the dartboard as well. He was eliminated in the opening round of the recent World Grand Prix and experienced another first-round exit at the Players Championship 31 in Wigan, losing to Dom Taylor. His recent performances have contributed to his decision to withdraw from the upcoming German Darts Championship, the final European Tour event of the season. However, he has already secured a place in the European Championship, set to take place in Dortmund from October 23-26, 2023.
In his statement, van Gerwen acknowledged the need to recharge ahead of the World Championships. “This has been a tough year and I now need to recharge the batteries ahead of the World Championships,” he said. “I owe it to myself, my management, sponsors, and also the fans to only perform when I’m fully focused and can give 100 percent to the game I love.”
He also expressed gratitude for the support he has received from fans on social media, stating, “Thank you for your continued words of support. I do see them, and it means a lot.” As he steps away from competitive play for now, van Gerwen remains committed to his role as a father, emphasizing that family will always take precedence in his life.
