Over the last five years MVG has gone from snarling top dog to one of the chasing pack and he makes no bones about it: He hates being left behind.
But after watching the Lukes of Hazard Humphries and Littler take over as the men to beat, Clog Almighty has warned he isn't finished yet.
And at the Paddy Power PDC World Championship, which opens at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night, he said: "I'm still the one they are pleased to see getting knocked out, I am the one they enjoy beating the most."
Since winning the last of his three titles in 2019, van Gerwen has confected five variations of Ally Pally disappointment - like Basil Fawlty's duck on gourmet night, his exits were done in extremely different ways.
A surprise 7-3 defeat by Peter Wright in the final.
This story is from the December 13, 2024 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 13, 2024 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
McGinn and out means Well need new faces
STUART KETTLEWELL insists Motherwell are ready to dive back into the transfer market after being hit with the hammer blow of losing Paul McGinn for the rest of the season.
CUP WIN CAN SAVE SEASON
Hagi eyes Hampden salvage job for Gers
BHOYS IN BID FOR BARRY
Seven-fiaure sum on table for kid Louie
Boulter: One day I'll have Major run
KATIE BOULTER insists she'll make her Grand Slam \"breakthrough\" one day after losing to world No.75 Veronika Kudermetova in Melbourne.
Bittersweet reminder of Britpop brilliance
THE Britpop pioneers split twice in their bittersweet career before conking out for good in 2009, but what gems The Verve left behind.
A BUFF ACT TO FOLLOW
Hagi: Only few players in world can handle heat of being Gers hitman but Hamza is coping well with being new Morelos
Critch silver dream
NEIL CRITCHLEY wants his Scottish Cup debut to end with a Hampden bash - not a bloody nose in Brechin.
LOOKS GREAT DIALL BETTER
AMAD DIALLO bagged a stunning hat-trick to spare Manchester United utter humiliation at Old Trafford.
INDY'S WHIP-ROUND
NAVAJO INDY (3.35) can reign for Tom Symonds in the Sovereign Handicap Hurdle at Windsor.
Farmers want action on big cat rewilders
FUMING farmers have demanded a crackdown on rogue rewilders after the illegal release of four lynx in the Cairngorms.