Michael van Gerwen plans to play darts for at least another 10 years and believes he is still a dangerous player for anyone else in the World Championship.
Van Gerwen easily qualified for his first match at Alexandra Palace with a 3-0 victory over James Hurrell and will play with Brendan Dolan in the third round, live. Sky Sports Darts Saturday 28 December.
The Dutchman has not won a televised tournament in 2024, marking the first time he has not won a tournament in a calendar year since 2011.
“If you look at my rankings this year, I'm still in the top four or five. Can you imagine when I play well again? I'll be really dangerous!” Van Gerwen said.
He added: “I've re-signed with Winmau for another 10 years, so I'll be in the scene a little longer and I'll enjoy what I do. That's the only thing that matters.”
“If I don't win two or three more world titles, I'll be disappointed. But I know I can do it.”
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Van Gerwen made an impressive 120 checkouts on his debut
Van Gerwen went through a period where he was almost unbeatable on the PDC Tour as he won three world titles in 2014, 2017 and 2019.
The 35-year-old was previously touted to push Phil Taylor's record 16 world championships, but now believes it is a near impossible task.
“No, but you never know. I still love what I do, and as long as I love what I do, we'll see,” he said.
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Watch every nine-quarter shot in the PDC World Championship
“What else am I going to do? That's the question I always ask myself, what else am I going to do?”
“I don't have enough other things or hobbies to occupy all that time. Of course, my children and my wife are really important in my life, but darts is a really big part of my life, and everyone knows that.
“They know it's my life too. Not only am I doing it because it's my job. I'm also doing something I love. It's my passion. It's my life. I've been doing this for the past 25 years.”
“I've been in the PDC for almost 18 years, and I've competed in, God knows how many tournaments I've competed in. So for me, it's not a battle. It's something I love to do.”
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Van Gerwen remains confident about his World Darts Championship chances despite poor performances this year
Van Gerwen: There is a lot of pressure on Humphreys and Littler
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler are favorites to win the World Championship but are on course to meet in the semi-finals, so there will be no repeat of last year's final.
Van Gerwen is not in their half of the field and is the favorite to reach the final from his share of the draw, especially after Gary Anderson's early exit.
Van Gerwen said: “I still know that there are always eyes watching me because everyone wants to take me out of the tournament.”
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We look at the impact Luke Littler is having after making his mark on the world stage this time last year
“Of course, there will be a lot of pressure on the Lock duo (Humphries and Littler) as well, but that's how it is. You have to deal with the conditions.
“If it's right or left, I don't care. I just need to make sure I keep performing. I'm going to keep winning my matches.”
“When you do a good job, that's the price you pay, and you're going to be in the spotlight. And of course, you want to be in the spotlight. And I think that's a good thing. That's what you want. Otherwise, you're not a professional, simple as that.”
Watch the World Darts Championship on Sky Sports
Live darts returns to Sky Sports in PDC World Darts Championship After the Christmas break, with four consecutive days of double sessions at Alexandra Palace starting on Friday 27 December.
World number one Humphreys takes on Nick Kenny in Friday's evening session, while reigning Premier League champion Littler makes the headlines on Saturday night when he takes on Ian White.
Elsewhere, Van Gerwen faces Dolan (Saturday) and fellow former world champion Gerwen Price hosts Joe Cullen (Friday).
The players will have a night off on New Year's Eve before the quarter-finals, which will be held over two rounds on New Year's Day, with the semi-finals taking place on January 2 and the final on Friday, January 3.
The full daily schedule for this year's tournament can be found here here.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live until 3 January on the dedicated darts channel Sky Sports. Stream darts and more of the best sports with NOW.
