Michael Smith beat Michael van Gerwen in in 2015’s last to clinch his initial world champion title. Van Gerwen last won the competitors back in 2019. Watch the World Darts Championship from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024 – reside on Sky Sports

Michael van Gerwen urges he is certain and still the player to beat in advance of the beginning of the 2024 World Darts Championship on December 15.

The three-time world champ was beat by England’s Michael Smith in the last World Darts last with a 7-4 success at the Alexandra Palace to ended up being the brand-new world No 1.

Luke Humphries has actually given that climbed to importance, winning 3 significant titles in simply 49 days consisting of a 11-9 win versus Van Gerwen to clinch the Players Championship Finals title in Minehead.

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Despite the loss, Van Gerwen really feels confident in advance of the world champions and is certain that he is still the player to beat in these finals, in spite of not having actually won the competitors given that 2019.

“You need to get the positives out of it (the defeat to Humphries). I played a fantastic tournament and I was the better player, it’s probably the best I’ve played in the last few months from that perspective, I see a lot of opportunities,” the world No 2 stated.

“Of course I am confident (for the world championships), they still have to beat me.

“I assume if you ask all the gamers that they desire to beat most, it is me.

“I have so many great memories at the Ally Pally. Great wins, tough defeats, that is the way it goes”, Van Gerwen included.

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Six weeks after winning his initially significant darts title, Luke Humphries protected an additional with success in the Grand Slam of Darts – could he currently go one action additionally with success at the World Championships?

Having a household changes inspiration

Van Gerwen has actually led a years of rushing supremacy given that his 2012 World Grand Prix win to come to be commonly concerned as among the finest gamers of perpetuity, yet the Dutchman revealed that given that beginning a household in 2017, his inspirations and top priorities have actually altered.

“Having a family, it totally changes you. It is a totally different life,” stated Van Gerwen.

“You have to adjust yourself to the situation and I think that it is all good, I can’t complain.

“Of program the inspiration is various yet after that darts is not primary any longer, yet your youngsters are primary.

“You are a little bit more relaxed but that is how it is, you can’t change that.

“Your youngsters are more crucial than a world champion, 10 world champions, you can not alter that.

“You have more responsibilities. When me and my wife didn’t have kids, you had a nice lie in until 11 o’clock it didn’t matter, now we look after the babies, the dogs, life has changed.”

Watch the World Darts Championship from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024 – reside on Sky Sports. Stream your much-loved sporting activities and even more with CURRENTLY