Michael van Gerwen, the Dutch darts legend whose electrifying presence has defined the sport for over a decade, stunned fans with a deeply personal announcement on May 24, 2025, revealing his separation from his wife of 11 years, Daphne Govers. The three-time world champion, known as “Mighty Mike,” shared the news on social media, simultaneously declaring his withdrawal from the Dutch Darts Championship and other upcoming tournaments. This decision, which grants a bye to his scheduled opponent Mickey Mansell, marks a rare absence for the 36-year-old, who has been a mainstay in darts’ biggest stages. As Van Gerwen steps away to navigate this challenging chapter, his announcement casts a poignant light on a difficult year both on and off the oche.
Van Gerwen and Daphne’s love story began in 2008 in their native Netherlands, blossoming into a marriage in 2014—the same year he claimed his first PDC World Championship. Together, they welcomed two children, daughter Zoe in 2017 and son Mike in 2020, often seen cheering their father alongside Daphne at tournaments worldwide. Daphne, a former hairdresser and ardent darts supporter, became a familiar face in the stands, her vibrant social media presence—boasting nearly 40,000 followers—showcasing their family’s glamorous holidays in destinations like Ibiza and Turkey. “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship,” Van Gerwen wrote in a heartfelt statement. “As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments. I am sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust that they will understand my decision.” His plea for privacy during this “difficult time” resonated with supporters, many of whom expressed sympathy for the man who has long been a titan of the sport.
The timing of Van Gerwen’s announcement coincides with a challenging period in his professional career. Just days earlier, on May 22, he suffered a crushing 6-2 defeat to Nathan Aspinall in the Premier League quarter-finals in Sheffield, a loss that eliminated him from play-off contention for only the second time in 13 seasons. Aspinall, reflecting on the match, noted an uncharacteristic lack of fire in his rival. “There was a lot of emotion after walking off stage,” he said. “I don’t know what is going on, but he didn’t look himself again. Even on that stage, he was giving up.” Darts pundit Wayne Mardle echoed this sentiment, lamenting, “I feel for Michael. The man is a champion, a winner. He has not been good enough at times.” Van Gerwen’s struggles this season, marked by a fifth-place finish in the Premier League and no nightly victories since April 2024, have been compounded by injuries, including a bizarre shoulder issue from trying on shirts and persistent foot pain requiring surgery.
Van Gerwen’s decision to step back follows a pattern of prioritizing personal well-being. Earlier this year, he withdrew from the Players Championship 16 and the Swiss Darts Trophy to focus on health, including dental procedures that left him unable to eat certain foods. His friend and fellow Dutch player Vincent van der Voort voiced concern, noting, “The belief just isn’t there. His presence is lacking, there’s no aggression or passion in his game.” Despite these setbacks, Van Gerwen has remained defiant, insisting his competitive fire still burns. “I still have the fire in my belly,” he said after a first-round loss in the Players Championship. “I’ll never give up. I’ll fight for everything.” Yet, the emotional weight of his marital split appears to have necessitated a hiatus, with no clear timeline for his return, though he is entered for the European Darts Open in Leverkusen next week.
The darts community has rallied around Van Gerwen, whose career is a testament to his resilience. From winning the 2006 World Masters at 17 to securing 159 singles titles, including seven Premier League crowns, he has been a dominant force. His 2024 season, however, was the first since 2011 without a televised tournament win, a stark contrast to his 2014 peak when he held all seven PDC major ranking titles simultaneously. Fans on social media have speculated that personal struggles may have contributed to his dip in form, with one noting, “Between the tension in his personal life and injuries, it’s no wonder his form hasn’t been great.” Another expressed hope for a comeback, saying, “Peak MVG was always exciting. I wish him and his family the best.”
As the Dutch Darts Championship unfolds without its hometown hero, the focus shifts to Van Gerwen’s next steps. With the Premier League play-offs set for May 29 at London’s O2 Arena—where Luke Littler, Nathan Aspinall, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price will vie for the title—Van Gerwen’s absence is keenly felt. His decision to prioritize his family, including Zoe and Mike, reflects the human side of a darts icon whose larger-than-life persona has long captivated audiences. “We are going through difficult times and ask everyone to respect our privacy,” he reiterated, a reminder of the personal cost behind his public success. As Van Gerwen takes time to heal, the darts world awaits the return of “The Green Machine,” hoping he can rediscover the passion that made him a legend.
# Michael van Gerwen’s Heartbreaking Split from Wife Daphne Prompts Indefinite Hiatus from Darts
Michael van Gerwen, the Dutch darts legend whose electrifying presence has defined the sport for over a decade, stunned fans with a deeply personal announcement on May 24, 2025, revealing his separation from his wife of 11 years, Daphne Govers. The three-time world champion, known as “Mighty Mike,” shared the news on social media, simultaneously declaring his withdrawal from the Dutch Darts Championship and other upcoming tournaments. This decision, which grants a bye to his scheduled opponent Mickey Mansell, marks a rare absence for the 36-year-old, who has been a mainstay in darts’ biggest stages. As Van Gerwen steps away to navigate this challenging chapter, his announcement casts a poignant light on a difficult year both on and off the oche.
Van Gerwen and Daphne’s love story began in 2008 in their native Netherlands, blossoming into a marriage in 2014—the same year he claimed his first PDC World Championship. Together, they welcomed two children, daughter Zoe in 2017 and son Mike in 2020, often seen cheering their father alongside Daphne at tournaments worldwide. Daphne, a former hairdresser and ardent darts supporter, became a familiar face in the stands, her vibrant social media presence—boasting nearly 40,000 followers—showcasing their family’s glamorous holidays in destinations like Ibiza and Turkey. “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship,” Van Gerwen wrote in a heartfelt statement. “As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments. I am sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust that they will understand my decision.” His plea for privacy during this “difficult time” resonated with supporters, many of whom expressed sympathy for the man who has long been a titan of the sport.
The timing of Van Gerwen’s announcement coincides with a challenging period in his professional career. Just days earlier, on May 22, he suffered a crushing 6-2 defeat to Nathan Aspinall in the Premier League quarter-finals in Sheffield, a loss that eliminated him from play-off contention for only the second time in 13 seasons. Aspinall, reflecting on the match, noted an uncharacteristic lack of fire in his rival. “There was a lot of emotion after walking off stage,” he said. “I don’t know what is going on, but he didn’t look himself again. Even on that stage, he was giving up.” Darts pundit Wayne Mardle echoed this sentiment, lamenting, “I feel for Michael. The man is a champion, a winner. He has not been good enough at times.” Van Gerwen’s struggles this season, marked by a fifth-place finish in the Premier League and no nightly victories since April 2024, have been compounded by injuries, including a bizarre shoulder issue from trying on shirts and persistent foot pain requiring surgery.
Van Gerwen’s decision to step back follows a pattern of prioritizing personal well-being. Earlier this year, he withdrew from the Players Championship 16 and the Swiss Darts Trophy to focus on health, including dental procedures that left him unable to eat certain foods. His friend and fellow Dutch player Vincent van der Voort voiced concern, noting, “The belief just isn’t there. His presence is lacking, there’s no aggression or passion in his game.” Despite these setbacks, Van Gerwen has remained defiant, insisting his competitive fire still burns. “I still have the fire in my belly,” he said after a first-round loss in the Players Championship. “I’ll never give up. I’ll fight for everything.” Yet, the emotional weight of his marital split appears to have necessitated a hiatus, with no clear timeline for his return, though he is entered for the European Darts Open in Leverkusen next week.
The darts community has rallied around Van Gerwen, whose career is a testament to his resilience. From winning the 2006 World Masters at 17 to securing 159 singles titles, including seven Premier League crowns, he has been a dominant force. His 2024 season, however, was the first since 2011 without a televised tournament win, a stark contrast to his 2014 peak when he held all seven PDC major ranking titles simultaneously. Fans on social media have speculated that personal struggles may have contributed to his dip in form, with one noting, “Between the tension in his personal life and injuries, it’s no wonder his form hasn’t been great.” Another expressed hope for a comeback, saying, “Peak MVG was always exciting. I wish him and his family the best.”
As the Dutch Darts Championship unfolds without its hometown hero, the focus shifts to Van Gerwen’s next steps. With the Premier League play-offs set for May 29 at London’s O2 Arena—where Luke Littler, Nathan Aspinall, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price will vie for the title—Van Gerwen’s absence is keenly felt. His decision to prioritize his family, including Zoe and Mike, reflects the human side of a darts icon whose larger-than-life persona has long captivated audiences. “We are going through difficult times and ask everyone to respect our privacy,” he reiterated, a reminder of the personal cost behind his public success. As Van Gerwen takes time to heal, the darts world awaits the return of “The Green Machine,” hoping he can rediscover the passion that made him a legend.
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