Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen has made it comfortably through to the fourth round of the 2024 World Darts Championship, after a 4-0 drubbing of Richard Veenstra.
He will now face in-form Stephen Bunting in the next round, with the world no.18 stating that he is pleased to be making his way through the tournament relatively under the radar.
When asked about rivals liking to shy away from the limelight, Van Gerwen had a bizarre retort, labelling them as 'poo pants'.
[It’s] because they are all poo pants.
If they want to go under the radar, that’s [raspberry noise].
Me, worry about what the crowd does, really? I have more experience than that, I don't really care.
READ HERE: Van Gerwen Dismisses 'Nonsense' Price Claim About World Darts Championship
"IT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL POO PANTS" | MVG SPEAKS OUT ABOUT PLAYERS HIDING FROM THE LIMELIGHT
💚 @MvG180 ALSO SAYS HE HAD MORE TALENT AT 16 THAN LUKE LITTLER BUT HEAPS PRAISE ON THE 16-YEAR-OLD
🎥FULL INTERVIEW👇🏼https://t.co/4wSF6nDdGB pic.twitter.com/Ss6GIQdmGQ
— Darts Now (@DartsNow_) December 27, 2023
"I wish everyone gives me attention because when you get attention it's a pleasure, it's something good," Van Gerwen added.
"Because when they talk about you it's a good sign. It means you still mean something to the sport."
The story of the 2024 World Darts Championship has undoubtedly been the performances of 16-year-old Luke Little, who has become the youngest player ever to make it through to the fourth round.
Van Gerwen, who was himself a young prodigy, was full of praise for the teenager, but maintained that he was the more talented of the two at that age.
"Yes and no. I think if you look like talent-wise then I think I was slightly better but he doesn't care whoever he plays and that's why I admire him.
"He's a big talent. Me and Vincent [Van der Voort] spoke about him and he has got one little thing in his throw on the end that I don't really fancy, but for the rest he can win a lot of tournaments in the future of darts - 100 per cent."
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