Michael van Gerwen’s recent run of form has been underwhelming, prompting many fans and pundits to wonder whether the Dutch superstar has lost a bit of his once‑insatiable hunger. Over the past few months the former world champion has struggled to get past the first round of events, and his results have been a far cry from the dominant performances that made him a household name in darts. In fact, in the last five tournaments van Gerwen has only managed to advance beyond his opening match once – a run that ended in the quarter‑finals of Players Championship 30 where he was beaten by Scotland’s Scott Williams. The other four outings have been disappointing: an opening‑round loss to Ryan Joyce at the World Grand Prix, a defeat by Daryl Gurney at the World Series of Darts Finals, a setback against Benjamin Pratnemer in Players Championship 29, and a loss to Damon Heta in the Flanders Darts Trophy.
Van Gerwen addressed his frustration on his own livestream, describing his early exit from the Grand Prix as “annoying” and insisting that he believed he should have taken the title. His words reflected a lingering sense that his game is not quite where it should be, especially given the high standards he set for himself over the previous decade.
The concerns were echoed on the popular "Love the Darts" podcast, where former world number one Colin Lloyd voiced his worries that the Dutchman might be running out of the fire that propelled him to the top of the sport. Lloyd said, "It was a free hit. I don’t want to say he wasn’t ready for it, but he didn’t look comfortable." He went on to note a series of odd results over the last six to eight months, suggesting that something fundamental had shifted.
Lloyd also highlighted van Gerwen’s personal life, pointing out that the champion now spends a great deal of time with his children and that this new balance may have dulled the edge that once defined his competitive mindset. "Perhaps just that little bit of hunger’s gone," he observed. "There’s no question that Michael’s still a class player, but when you start losing that little bit of hunger and you lose that little bit of fire in you, it shows." Despite the speculation, Lloyd stopped short of declaring a permanent decline. He argued that van Gerwen’s financial security allows him the freedom to step back, enjoy family time, and pick up occasional exhibition matches without the pressure of a full‑time tour schedule.
"He won the World Masters at 17, which was 20 years ago. He’s still relatively young, but he carries battle scars from two decades of high‑intensity competition," Lloyd said. "At some point, mentally and physically, you ask yourself whether you really need to go through this grind any longer." In stark contrast, James Wade has been enjoying a resurgence that many observers describe as a renaissance. Over the past year Wade has reached milestones that had eluded him for years.
He made the semi‑finals of the World Grand Prix for the first time since 2014, captured his inaugural World Series title at the Australian Darts Masters in August, and clinched the Flanders Darts Trophy in September – his first Euro Tour triumph in ten seasons. Wade’s consistency has been remarkable; he has won 14 of his last 16 matches, demonstrating a level of form that puts him firmly back in the conversation for elite events.
This resurgence has not gone unnoticed by commentators. Matt Edgar, speaking on the same "Love the Darts" podcast, suggested that Wade is almost a certainty for a spot in the Premier League when it expands to ten players in 2027. "I was surprised James Wade wasn’t in the conversation earlier this year," Edgar admitted. "If the league grows to ten, he’s a lock." Edgar also warned against the short‑term memory of fans and media, noting that a poor performance at the World Championship or a slump later in the season could quickly erase the achievements of the earlier months.
Yet he believes Wade’s recent run of form is too strong to ignore, especially as the sport looks to refresh its marquee events. The broader darts calendar continues to offer plenty of high‑profile action. Sky Sports remains the primary broadcaster, with the Grand Slam of Darts scheduled for 14‑22 November and the World Darts Championship set for 11 December through 3 January. Fans can also stream matches via the NOW platform without a long‑term contract, ensuring that both seasoned followers and newcomers can keep up with the evolving narratives of players like van Gerwen and Wade.
In summary, while Michael van Gerwen appears to be wrestling with a dip in motivation and a possible shift in priorities, James Wade is capitalising on a wave of confidence and results that could see him secure a Premier League berth as early as 2027. The contrasting trajectories of these two seasoned professionals highlight the ever‑changing dynamics of professional darts, where hunger, form, and personal circumstances intertwine to shape the careers of the sport’s biggest stars.