MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has joked he would sooner quit darts than wait another two years for a TV title.
The Dutchman, 36, cut an emotional figure on Sunday night as he won the £80,000 World Series of Darts Finals pot – for the sixth time – in front of home fans in Amsterdam.
Kelly Deckers/PDCVictorious Michael van Gerwen poses with his trophy[/caption]
As he goes through a messy divorce, the dad-of-two was delighted his eight-year-old daughter could join him on stage and throughout the weekend before the school run on Monday.
The three-time world darts champion became the first person to beat the two Lukes – Humphries in the quarter-finals and Littler in the final – in the same event.
It ended a 24-month wait for success in front of TV cameras, which had followed four defeats in finals, including in the World Championship showdown to Littler.
Asked about the long hiatus, Van Gerwen, 36, said: “That’s never going to happen again – I think I’ll quit darts before that!
“We all know where I am coming from. I didn’t have the easiest time in my life.
“To do it in front of your own crowd, on home soil, gives me a lot of energy.
“I beat the No1 and No2 in the world. In the moments when I had to step up, I did it. It gives you the joy to play the next games.
“It’s not that easy, especially with the way I’ve been playing in the last few months.
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“You always need to believe in your ability and that’s what I’m doing. I feel good.
“I miss my son as well, but he’s a little bit too young. My daughter is a little bit more independent, she can do her own thing.”
World No3 Van Gerwen – who will be back in action next month for the World Grand Prix in Leicester – added: “It’s a lovely feeling to be back to winning ways. It’s not always that easy.
“This one is sweet. As long as you keep believing in yourself, everything is possible.
“I’m still far away from where I can be and we all know that, but it’s a lovely start.
“It’s been a little bit too long for a player like me, but you always need to look at yourself in the mirror.
“When things aren’t great you have to tell yourself, but when things are good, like this weekend, I can really enjoy them.
“Am I back? I’ve never been away.”
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