Michael van Gerwen, the three-time PDC World Darts Champion, faced disappointment on January 5, 2024, as he lost to the up-and-coming Luke Littler 7-3 at the World Darts Championship final held at Alexandra Palace. Van Gerwen, known for his explosive playing style, got off to a rocky start, finding himself trailing 4-0 before the match settled down. This abrupt beginning became the crux of his inability to recover against the young reigning champion.
After the game, Vincent van der Voort, Van Gerwen's long-time friend and commentator, shared insights from their conversation following Van Gerwen's defeat. "He is so upset about the first four sets. He finds it incomprehensible and unforgivable for himself at the moment," van der Voort revealed during the Darts Draait Door podcast. Van Gerwen's slow start was particularly frustrating for him as he felt he let himself down during the most significant match of his sporting career.
Throughout the initial sets, Van Gerwen barely made his mark. A string of missed doubles allowed Littler to capitalize quickly, handing the teenager momentum and confidence. "When you get your chances especially early door, I came 4-0 behind, I thought I wasn’t doing myself any justice," van Gerwen later admitted to Sky Sports. Despite this tough beginning, he displayed resilience by matching Littler's performance during the latter stages of the game, but the substantial lead proved too challenging to overcome.
Reflecting on his overall performance, Van Gerwen pointed out the harsh reality of expectations after multiple victories. Van der Voort noted the unique psychology of second place, especially for a player of Van Gerwen's caliber. "Second is just a very good performance," he explained, "but if you have already won it three times, you think it does not count." This sentiment struck at the heart of Van Gerwen's experience as he navigated through the complexity of feelings surrounding the final. After all, to him, second place at the World Championship isn’t just about losing—it’s also about the weight of past victories.
After the match, Van Gerwen expressed his disappointment but also looked for positives, admitting, "It is what it is. You have to take it on the chin, move on. I always take my hat off for people who beat me if they beat me in a good game, fair to them, that's the way sports works." This humble acceptance is indicative of the sportsmanship he has displayed throughout his career.
The defeat at the Ally Pally concluded what had been a mixed year for Van Gerwen. With only two tournament titles to show for his efforts, he has faced challenges throughout the year, prompting speculation about his future. Moving forward, he announced plans to compete again soon before taking some well-deserved time off with his family, stating he will enjoy his holiday after playing at another event later this month. Van der Voort has since advised Van Gerwen not to let his training slip away during his downtime, emphasizing the importance of maintaining skill and form.
Van Gerwen will be aiming to rebuild and regroup as he heads back to the practice board post-holiday. His tenacity and talent, which have brought him success in the past, will no doubt serve him as he looks to reclaim his title and position at the top of the sport. The darts community will be watching closely as he responds to this loss and whether he can rise again to the forefront of professional darts.