‘Let them think I am finished’ – Darts star and three-time PDC World Champion fires ominous warning ahead of return
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MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has issued an ominous warning to his rivals ahead of his Ally Pally return on Friday. Van Gerwen faces James Hurrell in his opening tie in the World Darts Championship tomorrow as he heads into the tournament without being favourite for the first time in years.
![[Michael van Gerwen has issued a warning to his rivals ahead of his first clash in the World Darts Championship tomorrow]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NINTCHDBPICT000917810800.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Despite not being tipped to lift the Sid Waddell trophy in the new year, Van Gerwen is still confident of his chances - suggesting that he's happy for people to underestimate him. Speaking to De Telegraaf, he said: "It hasn't been a great year, but we still have a while. I haven't lost it, mind you. But 'it will be okay,' I really can't think that now.
![[Van Gerwen has beaten Luke Littler six times this year]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/luke-littler-congratulates-michael-van-893459807.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"It is far too changeable now and I have to do everything I can to get that out. That doesn't mean it will work out immediately, but it can happen very quickly. "In September I also suddenly won the Euro Tour in Budapest. The problem is that even after winning it could quickly go the other way again.".
Van Gerwen hasn't won a televised PDC title this year, but thinks that his form could work in his favour if people are already counting him out. He defiantly added: "Let them all think that they don't have to take me into account, then one day someone will get the lid on their nose.
"That they think: oh well, he can do that too of course. I can't wait for that moment. Everyone talks about [Luke] Humphries and [Luke] Littler and they deserve it, because they won the best tournaments this year. "But I'm having a year like this and have still won as much from Littler as he has from me. I'm not afraid to play against the biggest.
