Michael van Gerwen's close friend, Vincent van der Voort, has said he is 'worried' about the three-time world champion after a challenging 2025 season.
Van Gerwen is placed 36th on the one-year rankings across PDC ProTour events, and has failed to qualify for the Players Championship Finals.
The Dutchman did end his two-year wait for a major televised title in September, defeating Luke Littler in the World Series of Darts final.
But he suffered defeat in the first round of the World Grand Prix earlier this month, winning just two legs in his 2-0 defeat to Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Back in May, Van Gerwen took to social media to announce that he and wife Daphne had separated.
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During his time away from the sport that followed, 'MVG' spent some time in Ibiza with his two children, and told Dutch outlet AD: "I'm just human, you know. At some point, you want to think about nice things again, not just be preoccupied with the mess you're experiencing at that moment.
"I couldn't write this script myself, so I'll have to deal with it in a way I think is right. You could just sit around and grieve all day, but that's pointless. So you do fun things, take time for yourself."
While he is still ranked as the world number three, that could change significantly if his performance levels do not improve.
With the PDC order of merit based across the past two years, from after the 2024 World Championship onwards for next season, Van Gerwen will be defending significant amounts of prize money.
He reached the finals of the 2024 World Matchplay, while his 2025 World Championship final appearance - for which he earned £250,000 in prize money and ranking points - will also be wiped at the beginning of 2027.
One of his closest friends on the PDC tour is his Dutch compatriot Vincent van der Voort, who is no longer a tour card holder but still spends time around some of the sport's top stars.
And speaking on the 'Darts Draait Door' podcast, the two-time world quarter-finalist says he is 'worried' about Van Gerwen.
"Next year is huge. He has to defend everything," he began (via Darts News). "I understand what's happening at home ... it's all hitting him.
"He's really struggling with himself now. Now, for example, the dogs are gone - it's quiet and empty at home. I understand that he wants to go out for dinner, to get away. That might make more sense than sitting on the couch on a Saturday night thinking too much.
"I understand it. But I'm worried about his career."
Topics: Michael van Gerwen, Darts
Ryan Smart