Michael van Gerwen, the three-time world darts champion, has been making waves not just on the oche but also in the headlines as he prepares for the 2025 Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp, starting August 29. The Dutch maestro, known for his electrifying presence and relentless drive, admitted to taking a step back from the sport over the summer, indulging in a festival-filled break that left him so disconnected he didn’t even know who had won the World Series of Darts. “He didn’t even know who had won the World Series,” a source close to the player revealed, highlighting how Van Gerwen’s focus shifted to personal enjoyment after a challenging year both on and off the board. Now, as he returns to the competitive stage, the question looms: can “Mighty Mike” rediscover his form in time to reclaim his dominance?
Van Gerwen’s summer was a whirlwind of music festivals and family time, a stark contrast to his usual schedule of relentless dart-throwing. The 36-year-old, who has amassed over 150 PDC titles, opted out of several World Series events, including the Australian and New Zealand Darts Masters, to recharge. “I don’t think that would ever happen again,” Michael Smith once said about a legendary moment in darts, but for Van Gerwen, this break was a deliberate choice to prioritize mental and physical recovery. His absence from the World Series, where Luke Littler swept through with jaw-dropping 108 and 115 averages, left Van Gerwen ranked a lowly tenth in the standings, a position that could see him face a nightmare first-round draw against Littler in Amsterdam. “As it stands, you could get Van Gerwen against Littler in the first round. And that’s his own fault. He skipped events, and where he did play, he didn’t perform,” Vincent van der Voort remarked, underscoring the stakes for Van Gerwen’s return.
The Flanders Darts Trophy, the tenth stop on the 2025 PDC European Tour, offers Van Gerwen a chance to silence doubters. Seeded sixth, he enters in the second round on Saturday, facing either Gabriel Clemens or Martin Lukeman at the Antwerp Expo. Clemens, who stunned Van Gerwen 6-4 in 2024 with a 107.27 average, poses a particular threat. “Michael is the best player in the world – he is a legend!” Clemens said after that victory, but Van Gerwen’s recent struggles suggest he’s not invincible. His 2025 season has been marred by personal challenges, including a separation from his wife Daphne after 17 years, and health issues, including throat problems and dental surgery that required braces. “I have space in my head again to return to the oche. Darts at the highest level is what I love to do the most,” Van Gerwen said, signaling his intent to refocus. Despite these hurdles, he’s shown flashes of brilliance, reaching the World Darts Championship final in January, where he fell 7-3 to Littler. “I come 4-0 behind and after that I didn’t do myself justice,” he admitted, reflecting on the loss.
The Antwerp field is stacked with talent. Littler, the top favorite, faces Jermaine Wattimena or Brian Raman, while Gerwyn Price, battling a hand injury, takes on Luke Woodhouse or Luc Bogaert. Stephen Bunting, topping the World Series Order of Merit, and Luke Humphries, the world number one, are also in contention, alongside local hero Mike De Decker. The tournament’s best-of-11 format in early rounds leaves little room for error, and Van Gerwen’s preparation has been unconventional. “My preparation has been slightly different to previous years but you have to deal with circumstances,” he noted, acknowledging his inconsistent form. Yet, his history in Antwerp is promising—he reached the semi-finals last year before falling to Dave Chisnall, the defending champion.
Van Gerwen’s summer of festivals may have dulled his competitive edge, but his return is fueled by a renewed hunger. “I’m a winner. A winner always wants to win,” he declared in 2015, a mantra that still drives him. With a £30,000 prize and crucial ranking points at stake, the Flanders Darts Trophy is a pivotal moment. The event, broadcast live on PDC TV with sessions starting at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m., will test whether Van Gerwen can shake off the rust and rediscover the “oche fever” that once made him untouchable. As fans pack the Antwerp Expo, they’ll witness a darts icon fighting to reclaim his place among the elite, one dart at a time.
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