Michael van Gerwen will aim for glory at the World Darts Championships despite his father’s worrying health battle behind the scenes. The Dutchman begins his Ally Pally campaign against Mitsuhiko Tatsunami this week, almost a year on from his thrashing in the final against Luke Littler.
Van Gerwen’s year has been anything but smooth as he is currently in the middle of a divorce from wife Daphne following a 17-year relationship. However, the 36-year-old’s focus will likely be on his dad Henri who is currently fighting cancer. The darts star’s father has undergone months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and even had his nose amputated as a result of the disease.
Speaking to The Guardian, Van Gerwen admits the turmoil his family has gone through during this cancer battle but is adamant he will perform at his best for his dad. Giving an update on his father’s health, he said: « Not too good, he is sick. They amputated his nose one-and-a-half years ago, and two months ago they cut away all his lymphs.
« They cut them everywhere so he can’t taste any more, he can’t swallow any more. He has tubes so it’s not going too good. His quality of life is bad – but he still tells me off when I don’t do well.
« He’ll be watching me in the Worlds. He was always a strong man and now… »
Van Gerwen’s divorce has also had a major impact on his mindset. However, the veteran darts star insists he will push through the emotional pain and get back to a good place in time.
He added: « We were 17 years together, nearly 11 years married. You need to give yourself time to let it go.
« Sometimes you get thrown back to reality and then you need to try to move out of it again. I can do it. »
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