Two-time Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters champion Michael van Gerwen revealed the perfectionist streak that has helped him rise to the top of the sport, bemoaning his performance despite sweeping Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright away in Friday night’s final.
World no1 Van Gerwen appeared to be in good form in front of a loud Dubai Tennis Stadium crowd, rocketing to an 11-7 triumph to retain his crown for the two-day World Series event.
‘Mighty Mike’s’ drive to dominate darts was on show after the match, however, stating the contest could have been over much sooner if he had “focused” fully.
Reigning Professional Darts Corporation World Darts Champion Van Gerwen said: “I thought all day long that I was the better player. I made it quite difficult for myself, and I should not do that.
“A win is a win, but I could have won this a lot easier if I had focused on my game. I wasn’t really trying to keep the pressure up, I was more annoyed with myself that I was not playing the game properly.”
Van Gerwen was in a more enthusiastic mood when discussing his joy at winning the title he previously claimed in the inaugural edition last year.
He said: “It is the first time I have won a major title twice on the trot, and to win in this country means a lot. It is one of the nicest places in the world, and to win a tournament twice here is even better.”
There is little time for the 25-year-old to bask in his success, with the World Cup next week seeing him compete for international honours in Hamburg, Germany.
“This is a great win, that is good for my confidence,” he said. “Me and Raymond [van Barneveld] will be playing. We need to both play as well as possible, and win that tournament. I have never won it before, so it is a nice target for me.”
