- Van Gerwen took to social media to announce the split from his wife back in May
- The duo began dating in 2008, getting married in 2014 and having two children
- Now, the darts icon is preparing to return after a few weeks away from the sport
Three-time darts world champions Michael van Gerwen has broken his silence on his split from his wife after their 17-year relationship came to an end.
The darts legend shared the update with fans on social media in May after he crashed out of the Premier League, admitting he and Daphne were facing a ‘difficult time’.
‘It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship,’ Van Gerwen wrote. ‘As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments.
‘I am sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust that they will understand my decision. We are facing a difficult time and ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.’
Van Gerwen and Daphne Govers began dating in 2008, with the couple getting married back in 2014.
Their split caused van Gerwen to take a break from the sport – including in the recent Players Championship events and the World Cup – but he has now spoken on the matter and appears to be in a better place as his return nears.
‘Everything is kind of under control now,’ van Gerwen said ahead of his return to the oche, which will come at this weekend’s World Series event at Madison Square Garden. ‘I have space in my head again to return to the oche. Darts at the highest level is what I love to do the most.
‘Everyone knows it’s been a very eventful period for me. But you can’t dwell on the past. I have to move on.
‘I have to work again and find pleasure in what I’m doing again.’
He added: ‘A lot of people ask me things, but this is a private matter. Nobody has anything to do with that. What people think about it doesn’t affect me. The most important thing for me is that things are good for my children.
‘Whether I look left or right, it’s all over social media. It’s actually too crazy for words, but it’s part of it.
‘What people say doesn’t affect me anymore. This is not the first storm I’ve experienced.’
While van Gerwen has played in events for the likes of MODUS, he will make his competitive return in New York.
He also took to X to share a snap of him with his children, captioning the post: ‘On my way to New York! Ready to get back to work after some quality time with the kids.’
Van Gerwen and Daphne have two children together – a daughter Zoe, 7, and a son Mike, 5.
Van Gerwen made the announcement of the split as he as he pulled out of the Dutch Darts Championship two months ago.
Van Gerwen, a seven-time winner of the Premier League, meanwhile, finished fifth in the standings with only the top four advancing.
The darts legend had needed a night win on the final gameweek to secure a top four finish, but was beaten in the quarter-finals by Nathan Aspinall.
Following the match, Aspinall admitted there had been ‘a lot of emotion’ and claimed Van Gerwen ‘didn’t look himself’.
‘There was a lot of emotion after walking off stage, I had to take myself away,’ Aspinall told Sky Sports. ‘I spoke so highly of Michael all week and go and win tonight.
‘I don’t know what is going on but he didn’t look himself again. Even on that stage, he was giving up.’
