Michael van Gerwen has delivered a brutal assessment of his own game despite clinching back-to-back Players Championship titles in a dominant display that saw him lift the trophy in Leicester on Tuesday.
The Dutch darts sensation, who now boasts an incredible 150 PDC titles to his name, overcame a determined challenge from Ryan Searle to claim the £15,000 top prize with an 8-5 victory in the final at the Morningside Arena.
Victorious But Fuming: MVG's Surprising Reaction
Despite the convincing win that followed his success just two days earlier, the three-time world champion was scathing in his self-criticism. "It was absolute rubbish, let's be honest," Van Gerwen told reporters after the match. "I won the tournament but I don't think I played really well."
The 34-year-old's frustration was palpable as he analysed his performance, suggesting his standards remain sky-high despite the impressive results. "I think I played better yesterday than I did today, but winning tournaments, that's what counts," he admitted.
Road to Victory: How MVG Conquered Leicester
Van Gerwen's path to the title saw him dispatch several notable opponents:
- Overcoming Luke Woodhouse 6-4 in the quarter-finals
- Edging out Luke Littler 7-5 in a tense semi-final clash
- Defeating Ryan Searle 8-5 in the championship decider
The victory marks another significant milestone in Van Gerwen's remarkable career, adding to his growing reputation as one of darts' all-time greats.
Warning to Rivals: 'I Can Only Get Better'
In a chilling message to his competitors, Van Gerwen insisted this is just the beginning of his 2024 campaign. "I can only get better from here," he declared. "I'm not at my best yet and that's a good thing."
The Dutchman's comments will concern rivals who had hoped his dominance might be waning, instead facing the prospect of an even more determined and improved Van Gerwen as the season progresses.
With back-to-back titles under his belt and a burning desire to improve, the darts world has been put on notice: Michael van Gerwen is far from satisfied, and that should worry everyone.
