Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen has suffered a stunning early exit from the World Darts Championship, crashing out in a 4-1 defeat to old rival Gary Anderson at Alexandra Palace. The Dutch star immediately announced he would return home to the Netherlands, bringing a difficult year to a disappointing close on the oche.
A Night of Uncharacteristic Errors at Ally Pally
The highly-anticipated fourth-round clash on Tuesday failed to live up to its billing as a classic, with both players struggling for their best form. Anderson, the 55-year-old Scot and back-to-back champion in 2015 and 2016, stormed into a two-set lead as Van Gerwen failed to find any consistent rhythm.
Despite briefly rallying to pull one set back, Van Gerwen's performance was littered with missed opportunities, particularly on crucial doubles. Anderson held his nerve to secure a 4-1 victory and book a quarter-final spot against English debutant Justin Hood.
In a frank post-match admission to Dutch journalists, 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."
Looking Ahead After a Turbulent 2025
The defeat marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time in a decade that Van Gerwen has left the tournament before New Year's Eve, excluding 2021 when he withdrew due to a positive COVID-19 test. He revealed his plans to depart for the Netherlands the following day for rest, before returning to action in tournaments in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain with "renewed energy".
Van Gerwen also looked ahead to 2026, calling it a "very important year" and vowing to perform. This exit concludes a profoundly challenging period for the darts star, both professionally and personally. He has previously labelled 2025 his "worst year", a sentiment compounded by his announcement earlier in the year of his separation from his wife, Daphne Govers.
That personal chapter has remained in the public eye, with Govers recently appearing in a Dutch television interview with her new partner, Robert, where they revealed they are expecting a "miracle" child together in January.
Anderson Advances Despite 'Rotten' Game
Victorious opponent Gary Anderson was equally candid about the quality of the match, admitting both he and Van Gerwen had played poorly by their lofty standards. "I think I was rotten. Michael was rotten," Anderson said. "I knew Michael can miss a few doubles but not that many. So, we pinched it at the end."
He added that he never felt settled on the stage and believed Van Gerwen felt the same, describing a scrappy contest where neither player could seize control. Anderson's focus now shifts to his last-eight tie, while Van Gerwen is left to reflect on a premature end to his Ally Pally campaign and a year he will be keen to forget.
