Michael van Gerwen says there’s “nothing flawed with my eyes” after Peter Wright claimed the Dutchman’s “imaginative and prescient might be going”.
Van Gerwen avoided a major upset in his first-round match on the World Darts Championship on Thursday in opposition to Japan’s Mitsuhiko Tatsunami to proceed his 14-year streak of not dropping his opening match at Alexandra Palace.
However, Peter Wright, who may play Van Gerwen within the third spherical, revealed earlier this week he thinks three-time world champion’s eyesight might be getting worse.
“I believe their [younger players’] eyesight is healthier than ours. I believe that is about it,” mentioned Wright.
“Clearly Gary [Anderson] is on the glasses or contacts. I do not know if Michael’s carrying contacts in the intervening time, however I believe MVG’s imaginative and prescient might be going – however he will not admit it in the intervening time.”
When informed about Wright’s feedback, Van Gerwen mentioned: “There’s nothing flawed with my eyes. Don’t fret. I preserve getting compliments.”
A throw again to Michael van Gerwen virtually attaining the unthinkable on the 2013 World Championship, hitting 17 good darts in his semi-final win over James Wade
Van Gerwen will play Eire’s William O’Connor or Poland’s Krzysztof Kciuk within the subsequent spherical, whereas Wright will face German qualifier Arno Merk.
Ought to the previous world champions come by these matches, they are going to meet in a mouth-watering third spherical conflict after Christmas.
“Years in the past, I used to play Michael van Gerwen at his peak, he was just like the GOAT. It was a privilege to play him in so many finals,” mentioned Wright.
“I might convey an additional gear or two since you’ll want it in opposition to Michael. I need to play him. He is bought to win, I’ve bought to win. I might love that for the TV crowd. I need to beat him.”
Check out a number of the Christmas outfits that Peter Wright has handled the Alexandra Palace crowd to over time
Wright has beforehand known as Van Gerwen “an enormous child” however ‘Mighty Mike’ says nobody will “get in his head”.
He half-jokingly mentioned: “I hope he has an enormous mouth like he had within the final two weeks as a result of I preserve smashing him in exhibitions.
“He made so many feedback over the past so a few years. To talk the identify of Peter Wright is a waste of my breath.”
Michael van Gerwen reacts to his first spherical win on the World Championship
Van Gerwen: I used to be not relaxed at begin of first spherical
Van Gerwen overcame a significant scare to achieve the second spherical as debutant Tatsunami received the primary set and held a 2-0 lead in legs throughout the second set.
The 36-year-old admits he was “loopy in my very own head” and must be extra calm for the remainder of the event.
“At first of the sport, I wasn’t actually myself. I used to be too pumped up. I used to be not with my head there the place I needs to be, after which you are going to make your self actually tough,” mentioned Van Gerwen.
Mitsuhiko Tatsunami takes the primary set in opposition to Michael van Gerwen of their first spherical World Championship match
“I believe it was a battle on this match in opposition to myself, and that is by no means an excellent signal, however that is sadly how I used to be.
“Then it’s worthwhile to attempt to keep calm and attempt to discover your individual rhythm and your individual tempo to make them actually tough. I give 100 per cent. Everybody is aware of that.”
Van Gerwen additionally says “there’s a variety of room for enchancment” after averaging solely 90.82 and had 29 per cent doubles success.
Michael van Gerwen is a three-time world champion however final received the title in 2019
“It wasn’t the perfect efficiency however not less than I received. An important factor within the first spherical of the World Championship is to outlive, win and attempt to play nearly as good as doable. I did not actually try this however a win is a win,” he added.
“I attempted to maintain battling, preserve performing. I knew if I stepped up just a little bit, I could make it actually tough, however I made it myself too tough.
“Video games like this are robust generally. What can I say? It was c**p. I can do quite a bit higher. I do know that, however it’s what it’s.”
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