Darts star Michael van Gerwen has announced his separation from wife Daphne, ending a relationship that began in 2008. The couple married in 2014 and have two children together.
In a statement on social media, the Dutchman said: 'It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship. As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments. I am sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust that they will understand my decision. We are facing a difficult time and ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.'
The announcement comes during a challenging period for Van Gerwen's career. He failed to reach the Premier League Darts playoffs for only the second time, leading to speculation about his form. Opponent Nathan Aspinall commented: 'There was a lot of emotion after walking off stage... he didn't look himself again. Even on that stage, he was giving up.'
Darts pundit Wayne Mardle also noted Van Gerwen's struggles, saying: 'I feel for Michael... He has just looked off. To not have won a week, he won four last year, that is a real blow for him.'
