Michael van Gerwen has confirmed he has parted ways with his wife, Daphne. The darts ace announced his separation on social media and his decision to withdraw from the forthcoming Dutch Darts Championship.
Van Gerwen, 36, also said he will be taking a hiatus from the game to address personal matters. The three-time world champion has often been seen with his long-term partner at events, with Daphne regularly on hand to cheer him on from the sidelines. The oche legend has looked a shadow of his former self at times this season, though, and was accused of “giving up” during a Premier League match this week.
He took to social media and posted an apology to his fans for his decision to step back from the Dutch Darts Championship, which got underway on Friday.
“It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship,” he wrote. “As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments.
“I am sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust that they will understand my decision. We are going through difficult times and ask everyone to respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
‘MVG’ and Daphne started their relationship in 2008 and tied the knot six years later. The pair have two children, a daughter named Zoe, seven, and a five-year-old son, Mike.
Van Gerwen has had a challenging year both on and off the oche as he grapples with form and injury, the Daily Star reports. The Dutch player missed out on the Premier League Darts play-offs for only the second time following his loss to Nathan Aspinall on Thursday.
“I don’t know what is going on but he didn’t look himself again,” Aspinall told Sky Sports after their clash. “Even on that stage, he was giving up.”
The Green Machine had previously missed a week of the tournament after sustaining an unusual injury while trying on shirts. And this latest development perhaps reveals another reason as to why he has been struggling for form.
Van Gerwen holds the record for the most Premier League titles with seven, but for only the second time in 13 years, he will not be present on finals night at The O2. Van Gerwen’s remarkable record in the tournament has seen him miss out on the play-offs only once before, during the heavily impacted COVID season of 2020.
