Darts superstar Michael van Gerwen has once again withdrawn from a major tournament, pulling out of the fifth Players Championship event in Leicester due to ongoing illness. This latest setback continues a challenging start to the year for the three-time World Champion, who has already missed several key events. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates, hoping for a swift return to full health ahead of his anticipated Premier League clash in Belfast.
Michael van Gerwen’s Ongoing Health Battle
Three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen, affectionately known as ‘Mighty Mike’, has unfortunately withdrawn from this afternoon’s fifth Players Championship event of the season, held in Leicester. Initially listed among the competitors at the Mattioli Arena, Van Gerwen will now focus on his recovery from an undisclosed illness.
This marks another challenging moment in what has become a frustratingly intermittent start to 2024 for the Dutch darts maestro. While he kicked off his campaign spectacularly by clinching the Bahrain Darts Masters title – a victory that hinted at another dominant year – his momentum has since been repeatedly disrupted.
A Season of Setbacks for ‘Mighty Mike’
Van Gerwen’s recent withdrawals paint a picture of a player battling more than just his opponents:
- Last week, he pulled out of the Premier League night in Glasgow.
- He also relinquished his spot at the opening Euro Tour event of 2024, the Poland Darts Open in Krakow.
- Now, he misses the Players Championship 5 in Leicester.
Supporters of “The Green Machine” are holding out hope that this latest decision is purely a precautionary measure. The aim is to allow him ample time to regain full fitness before his crucial Premier League visit to Belfast on Thursday. A potential high-profile encounter there with Gerwyn Price would be a much-anticipated return to action, especially as both players have recently experienced spells on the sidelines.
For now, however, the darts world in Leicester will miss seeing one of the sport’s most celebrated figures as he continues his dedicated journey back to peak health and performance.
Other Darts News: Victories and New Initiatives
While the focus remains on Michael van Gerwen’s recovery, the darts world has seen other notable happenings:
- Beeton Bags Scottish Open: Elsewhere on the circuit, Beeton secured a victory at the Scottish Open.
- Mitchell Delivers Classic Crown: The home nation’s Mitchell also claimed a prestigious Classic Crown title.
- ‘Darts For Everyone’ Launched: Social Gaming Group and Winmau have teamed up to launch a new series of events titled ‘Darts For Everyone’, aiming to broaden the sport’s appeal and participation.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
