He was once tipped to challenge Phil Taylor’s haul of 16 world titles, but now Michael van Gerwen has been accused of underachieving in his career. The Dutchman is still ranked No.3 in the world, but has struggled in 2024 to keep up with the likes of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.
Van Gerwen has failed to land a major televised title this year, with the Hungarian Darts Trophy and Dutch Masters his only notable tournament victories.
There are now question marks as to whether the 35-year-old will ever be able to add to his current haul of three PDC world crowns, having not prevailed at Ally Pally since 2019.
And now Ladbrokes ambassador Russ Bray has claimed that the achievements of the ‘Green Machine’ have not matched his supreme talent. “You know, I say Michael van Gerwen has underachieved”, said the legendary darts referee.
“I know he’s won three world titles, and a million others. But he’s underachieved, in my opinion, because he’s that good, that he could have won a lot more. I’m not talking about one or two titles, I’m talking a hell of a lot more.”
Bray cited Van Gerwen’s failure to land the UK Open in 2023 as a prime example of one of his missed opportunities. He was a huge favourite to overcome Andrew Gilding to land both the title and £110,000 prize, but instead went down 11-10 to hand his opponent his maiden major title.
“One example, he got beat in the final of the UK Open a couple of years back, by Andrew Gilding,” added Bray. “I’m not disrespecting Gilding, but nine times out of ten, Michael van Gerwen will beat him. That’s another title gone. So, Michael has underachieved.”
The man known as ‘The Voice’ still argued ‘MVG’ is one “of the greatest” of all-time, but also likened him to other icons who he believes have fallen short of fulfilling their potential. “I look back at players from over the years who perhaps could have gone on to do more, and win more,” he continued.
“You know, Terry Jenkins is right up there for me, he was in eight finals and never won one – it’s an underachievement. Wadey (James Wade) has won a lot of majors, but never won the worlds. You just wonder why. These are the types of guys who are there or thereabout, but I’d say have underachieved.”
Van Gerwen suffered a shock defeat to Scott Williams at the quarter-final stage of the World Championship last year, but later revealed he had been suffering jaw pain for the tournament. That followed unsuccessful dental surgery the previous summer, with the star forced to undergo another procedure in 2024.
His bid for a fourth title in London will begin this month against either debutant James Hurrell or Canadian veteran Jim Long. His chances of success have seemingly been boosted by being placed in a different half of the draw to both Littler and Humphries.
