Michael van Gerwen plans to play darts for at least another 10 years and believes he is still a dangerous player for everyone at the World Championship.
Van Gerwen comfortably cruised through his first match at Alexandra Palace with a 3-0 win over James Hurrell and will play Brendan Dolan in the third round, live on Sky Sports Darts on Saturday, December 28.
The Dutchman has not won a televised tournament in 2024, the first time he has not won a tournament in a calendar year since 2011.
“If you look at my rankings this year, I'm still in the top four or five. Can you imagine when I'll play well again? I'll be really dangerous!” said Van Gerwen.
He said: “I've signed my contract with Winmau for another 10 years, so I'll be on the scene for a bit longer and I'm enjoying what I do. That's the only thing that counts.
“If I don't win two or three more world titles, I will be disappointed. But I know I can do it.”
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Van Gerwen executed a brilliant 120 check in his first match
Van Gerwen went through a period where he was almost unstoppable on the PDC Tour as he won three world titles in 2014, 2017 and 2019.
The 35-year-old once had a shot at matching Phil Taylor's record of 16 World Championships but now believes it is an almost impossible task.
“No, but you never know. I still love what I do, and as long as I continue to love what I do, we're going to see,” he said.
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Watch all the nine-darter hits at the PDC World Championship
“What else am I going to do? That's the question I always ask myself, what else am I going to do?
“I don't have enough things or hobbies to fill all that time. Of course, my children and my wife are very important in my life, but rays are a big part of my life, and everyone knows that.
“They know it's my life too. I don't just do it because it's my job. I also do something I love. It is my passion. It is my life. I have been doing it for the past 25 years.
“I've been in the PDC for almost 18 years, and I've been in God knows how many tournaments I've played in. So for me, it's not a battle.' It's something I enjoy doing.”
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Van Gerwen remains confident of his chances at the World Darts Championships despite underperforming this year
Van Gerwen: A lot of pressure on Humphries and Littler
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler are the two favorites for the World Championship but they expect to meet in the semi-final, so there won't be a repeat of last year's final.
Van Gerwen is not in their half and would have preferred to reach the final from his section of the draw, especially after Gary Anderson was knocked out early.
“I still know that eyes are always on my back because everyone wants to take me out of the tournament,” Van Gerwen said.
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“Obviously, there will be a lot of pressure on the two Lukes (Humphries and Littler) as well, but it is what it is. You have to deal with the situation.
“If it's right, left, I don't care. I just have to make sure I keep playing. I keep winning my games.
“When you do well, that's the price you pay, you're going to be in the spotlight. And of course, you want to be noticed. And I think that's good. That's what you want. Otherwise, you're unprofessional, simple as that.”
Watch the World Darts Championship on Sky Sports
Live darts returns to Sky Sports at the PDC World Darts Championship after the Christmas break, with four consecutive days of double sessions at Alexandra Palace starting on Friday, December 27.
World No 1 Humphries will play Nick Kenny in Friday afternoon's session, while Premier League champion Littler will face Ian White on Saturday night.
Elsewhere, Van Gerwen faces Dolan (Saturday) and former world champion Gerwyn Price hosts Joe Cullen (Friday).
The players will have a night off on New Year's Eve ahead of the quarter-finals over two sessions on New Year's Day, with the semi-finals on January 2 and the final on Friday 3 January.
A full day-by-day schedule for this year's tournament is available here here.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch all the matches live until January 3 on Sky Sports' exclusive darts channel. Stream darts and more sports favorites with NOW.
