Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen has suffered a shock early exit from the PDC World Darts Championship, crashing out in a 4-1 defeat to his old rival Gary Anderson at Alexandra Palace. The Dutchman, in an uncharacteristically poor display, vowed to return home immediately to reflect on a dismal performance that closes a deeply turbulent year.
A Disappointing Display at the Oche
The highly-anticipated fourth-round clash on Tuesday saw Scotland's Gary Anderson, 53, storm into a two-set lead. Van Gerwen, a perennial favourite at the Ally Pally, struggled to find any consistent rhythm. Despite briefly rallying to pull one set back, Anderson – the back-to-back champion in 2015 and 2016 – held his nerve to secure a comprehensive victory and book a quarter-final spot against English debutant Justin Hood.
Speaking to Dutch journalists after the match, a frank Van Gerwen shouldered all the blame for the loss. "From the start of the match, I let myself down in key moments," he stated. "You can look at someone else, but in this defeat, I'm the culprit. It should have been 2-2 in sets. I sold myself short." He added that while he might still have lost from a 2-2 position, the 4-1 scoreline was an unnecessary reflection of his performance.
Looking Ahead After a Personal and Professional Setback
The defeat marks the first time in ten years that Van Gerwen will leave the tournament before New Year's Eve, excluding 2021 when he withdrew due to a positive COVID-19 test. He revealed he would waste no time in departing, saying, "I'm going home tomorrow and will have some rest." His immediate schedule includes tournaments in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, which he plans to approach with renewed energy.
Van Gerwen also addressed the coming year, acknowledging its importance. "I know better than anyone that it's going to be a very important year. I'm not running away from that," he said, dismissing any focus on rankings. "It hurts that I don't always show it, but I won't give up. Ever."
A Year of Turmoil On and Off the Stage
The early exit caps a profoundly difficult period for the Dutchman. Earlier in 2025, he announced his separation from his wife, Daphne Govers. In a recent Dutch television interview, Govers revealed she is expecting a "miracle" child with her new boyfriend, Robert, just eight months after the split. Van Gerwen has been vocal about his struggles following the separation.
Even his conqueror, Gary Anderson, admitted the match was below their usual standard. "I think I was rotten. Michael was rotten," Anderson said. "I knew Michael can miss a few doubles but not that many... I never felt right when we got on the stage. I don't think Michael felt right either." He conceded they had both played far better in past encounters, calling it "just one of those games."
For Van Gerwen, who previously labelled 2025 his "worst year," the search for form and stability continues as he heads home, with hopes of a fresh start in the new season.
