After Peter Wright claimed that the Dutchman’s “sight is probably improving”, Michael van Gerwen said: “There’s nothing wrong with my eyes.”
Van Gerwen avoided a major upset when he faced Japan’s Mitsuhiko Tasunami in the first round of the World Darts Championship on Thursday, continuing his 14-year streak of not losing his first match at Alexandra Palace.
However, Peter Wright, who could face Van Gerwen in the third round, revealed earlier this week that he believed the three-time world champion’s eyesight may be worsening.
“I think their (young players’) vision is better than ours. I think that’s it,” Wright said.
“Obviously, is Gary (Anderson) wearing glasses or contacts? I don’t know if Michael is wearing contacts right now, but I think MVG’s vision is probably moving forward. But at this point he wouldn’t admit it.”
Asked about Mr Wright’s comments, Mr van Gerwen said: “There is nothing wrong with me in my eyes. Don’t worry, I get compliments all the time.”
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Throwback to Michael van Gerwen almost achieved the unthinkable at the 2013 World Championships, hitting 17 perfect darts in his semi-final win over James Wade
Van Gerwen will face Ireland’s William O’Connor or Poland’s Krzysztof Kiczuk in the next round, while Wright will face Germany’s qualifier Arno Melk.
If the former world champions advance through these matches, they will meet in a mouth-watering third round after Christmas.
“Years ago, I was playing with Michael van Gerwen at his peak. He was just the GOAT. It was an honor to play against him in so many finals,” Wright said.
“I’m going to bring an extra gear or two because I’m going to need that against Michael. I want to fight him. He has to win, I have to win. I want it for the TV audience. I want to beat him.”
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Take a look at some of the Christmas costumes Peter Wright has entertained audiences at Alexandra Palace with over the years.
Director Wright previously called Van Gerwen a “big baby”, while Mighty Mike said no one “could understand him”.
He half-jokingly said, “I hope he has a big mouth like he’s had the past two weeks because I keep hitting him in exhibitions.
“He’s made so many comments over the years. It’s a waste of breath to mention Peter Wright’s name.”
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Michael van Gerwen reacts to World Championship first round win
Van Gerwen: I wasn’t relaxed at the start of the first round
Van Gerwen overcame a huge scare to reach the second round as debutant Tatsunami took the first set and held a 2-0 lead in the second.
The 36-year-old admitted he was “crazy” and needs to be more calm for the rest of the tournament.
“I wasn’t really myself at the beginning of the match, I got too excited, my head wasn’t where it should be, and then you’re going to make it really difficult for yourself,” Van Gerwen said.
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Mitsuhiko Tatunami takes the first set against Michael van Gerwen in the first round of the World Championship
“I think this match was a battle with myself and that was never a good sign, but unfortunately that was me.
“Then I just have to settle down, find my rhythm and my pace and make it really hard. I’m going to give 100 percent. We all know that.”
Van Gerwen also said there was “a lot of room for improvement” after averaging only 90.82 points and having a 29% doubles success rate.
Michael van Gerwen is a three-time world champion, but last won the title in 2019
“It wasn’t the best performance, but at least I won. The most important thing in the first round of the World Championship is to survive, to win and to try to play as well as possible. We didn’t really do that, but a win is a win,” he added.
“I tried to keep fighting and keep performing. I knew if I stepped up a little bit I could make it really hard, but I just made it too hard on myself.
“Games like this are tough sometimes. What can I say? That was bad. I can do better. I know that, but that’s the reality.”
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