Michael van Gerwen defeated Irishman Keane Barry 3-0 in the second round at the World Darts Championship on Tuesday night.
"Perfect is a big word. It was OK," said Van Gerwen when put to him in the post-match press conference that it was a "perfect start" to the tournament.
"The atmosphere tonight was quite good. I was in the studios with Viaplay for the first day. The first day was good with Michael Smith. After that, it was quiet but I see the crowds picking up again. That's a good thing, a good sign."
167 CHECKOUT! 💥
MAGICAL FROM MICHAEL VAN GERWEN!
With Barry poised to break throw and take control of the second set, Van Gerwen responds with a roof-raising 167 checkout!
That was majestic! 👏 pic.twitter.com/arxrMBCatm
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2023
Following his victory over Conor Scutt on Monday night, Gerwyn Price said he has considered not playing this year due to anxiety about the booing which he often gets from the Alexandra Palace crowd.
"Next question. It's nonsense," said Van Gerwen, quickly dismissing Price's claim.
"With all due respect to Gezzy, he can also blame himself a little bit for getting all the boos because if you keep [cupping your ear] to the crowd and things like that [they will react], and I keep telling him that."
Van Gerwen won the World Darts Championship in 2014, 2017 and 2019. He lost last year's final to Michael Smith.
"You are coming here with fresh energy again and that's what you want. You want to perform well again," he said.
"[Three World Darts Championship titles] it's not enough. I still want more. I know there's more in the tank and I still love the game. That's, for me, the most important thing."
Unusually for Van Gerwen, he was not the favourite coming into this year's tournament. That honour went to Luke Humphries.
"If you ask all the players who they would like to beat or to get beat, they will all tell you my name," said Van Gerwen.
"That's a good thing."
🗣️ "Perfect is a big word, it was okay" 👀
Hear from a Michael van Gerwen after his straight sets success over Keane Barry, as the Dutchman bids for a fourth World Championship title... pic.twitter.com/5XZRbbqxql
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2023
See Also: Gerwyn Price Calls For Crazy Change To World Darts Championship
