Michael van Gerwen has given a brutally honest take on Beau Greaves after he defeated the women's number one at the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts.
Van Gerwen survived two match darts before recording a 5-4 victory over Greaves, who averaged 101, in the group stage of the competition.
The Dutchman had already missed three match darts of his own in the leg, and missed a fourth at D3 before finally sealing the win.
Greaves is playing at the Grand Slam for the third consecutive year, and will face Gary Anderson and Germany's Niko Springer in her remaining group matches.
There is significant attention surrounding the 21-year-old after she became the second women's player in darts history to secure a two-year PDC Tour Card last month.
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A day later, she defeated reigning men's champion Luke Littler 6-5 to reach the final of the World Youth Championship, which takes place later this month.
Greaves will also compete in the World Darts Championship in December.
And ahead of the Grand Slam, 2007 world champion Raymond van Barneveld backed her to secure a coveted spot in the Premier League if she has a strong run at Alexandra Palace.
"I'm so proud of her, you know, what she is doing," Van Barneveld said (via Sky Sports). "She's beaten me 6-4. She beat Luke Littler in the semi-finals of the World Youth Championship.
"If she does well in the World Championship, I can guarantee you she'll get a Premier League ticket."
Van Gerwen issues warning to Greaves
But speaking after he defeated her at the Grand Slam of Darts, Van Gerwen issued a word of caution to Greaves over entering the Premier League at this stage of her career - adding that she 'isn't ready' yet.
"In my opinion, there's never been a better woman darts player," he told reporters. "So fair play to her. But now she needs to push herself to the next barrier.
"She does it a few times a year, but now you have to do it regularly, weekly, and that's going to be different as well.
"Raymond talks a lot of c**p in his life before. It will be too soon [to get in the Premier League].
"Of course, she has the talent to do it, but first let her adapt to the tour before she's going to get in the Premier League. Because the Premier League has killed some people before."
Topics: Michael van Gerwen, Darts
Ryan Smart