Van Gerwen out of Players Championship

DARTS Michael van Gerwen has pulled out of the Players Championship 16, with his close friend Vincent van der Voort giving a worrying update about the darts legend.

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The 36-year-old Dutchman, who has struggled to reach the same heights he managed earlier in his career in recent years, made the decision to withdraw after a first-round exit in the previous edition of the tournament.

Three-time world champion Van Gerwen suffered a 6-5 defeat at the hands of world No. 96 Dominik Gruellich, marking his sixth first-round loss in this year's PDC ProTour.

And his friend and fellow dartist, Van der Voort, admitted he is worried about Van Gerwen's performances and behaviour at the oche when speaking on the Darts Draait Door podcast.