Michael van Gerwen was unable to overcome Luke Littler in the World Darts Championship final (Image: GETTY)
was unable to get the better of in the final on Friday night as by the teenage sensation. And his Netherlands team-mate Vincent van der Voort is worried that the 35-year-old’s fortunes will reverse if he doesn’t keep practising when he jets off on holiday to Thailand.
Van Gerwen was humbled by his opponent in the showpiece match at Ally Pally as he fell 4-0 behind.
And despite landing three sets in the latter stages of the contest, he was never really in it as Littler closed out the win to lift the Sid Waddell trophy.
Van Gerwen endured a tough time over the autumn as he suffered early defeats at the European Darts Championship, the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals.
And discussing the upcoming period for the three-time world champion, Van der Voort told the podcast: “He is going on vacation, then also just a dartboard will come to him by sponsor Winmau.
“If he’s wise he’s going to play an hour once every two days. If you don’t do anything for two weeks now, you’re back to square one.
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Luke Littler was crowned World Darts Championship champion on Friday evening (Image: GETTY)
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“Normally you can easily stop for two weeks, but not now. It’s rebuilding all over again. It just wasn’t good enough before that. Then you can build to real top form again. I still think we see Michael at 80 per cent.”
He then added: “Get some rest. Coming up next is the , the Pro Tour, the Euro Tours, the UK Open.
“Before you know it, it will be June and you will be completely broken again. Getting his rest is really good and he’s earned it now – only you have to keep up in terms of training.”
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After his heartbreaking defeat, Van Gerwen told Sky Sports: “I went 4-0 behind and after that I didn’t do myself justice, but that’s the way it is. You need to try and fight and battle back.
“I sometimes say that every 17 years a star gets born and he’s one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I had a lovely tournament. I’ve been battling my own game but that’s how it was. You have to take it on the chin and take it as a champion.”
And he then as he added: “It hurts but that’s how it should be. I have to make sure that I keep playing better. I’m an old b*****d compared to him, but it is what it is. I have to take it on the chin.”