Michael van Gerwen has fired back at a fellow darts star after a bold claim comparing him to rising sensation Luke Littler. The three-time world champion dismissed Dirk van Duijvenbode’s suggestion that Littler is ahead of where he was at the same age, saying his compatriot “doesn’t know any better.”
Van Gerwen, who has faced criticism for inconsistent form this season, finds himself in the shadow of darts’ newest stars. Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have taken the sport by storm in 2024, with Humphries securing the prestigious World Championship title earlier in the year and Littler clinching the Premier League crown in May, pocketing a staggering £275,000 in prize money.
Littler’s meteoric rise has captured global attention, with many in the sport comparing his trajectory to the early years of Van Gerwen. Among those making the comparison is Dutch darts star Dirk van Duijvenbode, who suggested that Littler is already a better player than Van Gerwen was as a teenager. However, the former world No. 1 was quick to dismiss the claim.
In an exclusive interview with Express Sport, in association with BoyleSports, Van Gerwen retorted, “I don’t even know if Dirk watched darts back then or if he was playing at that time. I don’t know.”
He elaborated on why he believes the comparison is unfair, arguing that the environment in which he developed as a young player was entirely different. “That moment [when I was a teenager] was a totally different era. When I was doing well and winning a lot of tournaments, there was no social media. There was MSN Messenger, and that was it.”
Van Gerwen further highlighted the evolution of darts media coverage, explaining, “You didn’t have all the television channels like today. You only had the BBC covering the sport, and even then, it wasn’t as extensive as it is now. Times are moving forward, and you can’t really compare them.”
Despite his irritation at the claim, Van Gerwen made it clear that he holds no grudges against Van Duijvenbode for expressing his opinion. “I’m not taking it personally. People are allowed to have their own opinions, and sometimes they just want to say something because they don’t know any better.”
Van Gerwen is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in darts history. He has been a dominant force in the sport for over a decade, winning numerous major titles and becoming a central figure in the PDC. His journey to the top was far from smooth, as he battled through early career struggles before making his breakthrough in the early 2010s.
Reflecting on how much the sport has evolved since he began his career, Van Gerwen expressed pride in the transformation of professional darts, particularly within the PDC. “We’ve come really far. When I first started playing in the PDC, we had qualifying tournaments in pubs. Now, we never see pubs again; we only play in huge venues.”
He credited the PDC for its role in revolutionizing the sport and bringing it to a mainstream audience. “You also need to give the sport time to settle. If people say it’s unprofessional, they’re crazy. They don’t know what they’re talking about. The organization and what’s behind it is massive.”
While Van Gerwen has not been at his dominant best in recent times, he remains a formidable competitor. He has continued to win titles and remains one of the biggest names in the sport. With the World Grand Prix fast approaching, he will have an opportunity to silence his critics and remind the world why he is still one of the best.
Van Gerwen has won the World Grand Prix six times, and a seventh title would reaffirm his status among darts’ elite. However, with rising stars like Littler and Humphries continuing to make their mark, the competition is fiercer than ever.
While Littler’s talent is undeniable, Van Gerwen remains confident in his own abilities and legacy. “Everyone has their time, and I’ve had mine. But I’m still here, still competing, and I’m not going anywhere just yet.”
As darts continues to evolve, the comparisons between past and present players will persist. But if one thing is certain, it’s that Van Gerwen is not ready to fade into the background. The Dutch star is determined to prove that he still belongs at the very top of the sport.
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