Michael van Gerwen determined to reclaim Premier League crown
...2013 winner targets title
Thursday 4 February 2016 19:51, UK
Michael van Gerwen says he is hungrier than ever to reclaim the Premier League title - although he is wary that the competition is bigger and better than ever.
The Dutchman won 18 tournaments and completed a clean sweep of the PDC's major titles in 2015 but suffered a shock exit to countryman Raymond van Barneveld at the World Championship.
'Mighty Mike' is now relishing the challenge of taking on the biggest names on planet darts and will have the added pressure of being the bookies' favourite for the title.
Live Premier League Darts
World No 1 Van Gerwen opens his campaign against Aldershot-thrower and former Premier League champion James Wade at the First Direct Arena in Leeds - live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
"It's going to be amazing - there are a lot of good players in it and I hope I can win my title back," the 2013 Premier League winner told Sky Sports.
"I have won a lot and I hope I can keep performing really well. I did well in the Masters last weekend and the Premier League will be a lovely title to have.
"I did really well the last three times because I went top of the table after the first 16 weeks and I really hope I can do that again this year.
"The prize is not going to be given away after the first 16 weeks so you have got to perform well every week."
Van Gerwen has now topped the league table for the last three years since making his debut three years ago and is determined to do the same again this year.
"I really want to have this title back," he said. "I've won it before, I know exactly how it feels to win this tournament and I know how it is to lose a final so we will see what happens.
"You don't have any time to be disappointed about losing in one tournament because before you know it there is another tournament in front of you."
I really want to have this title back. I've won it before, I know exactly how it feels to win this tournament and I know how it is to lose a final so we will see that happens.
Sky Sports darts expert Wayne Mardle has singled out Van Gerwen as a class above the rest and expects the 26-year-old to win this year's tournament, but the Dutch ace is staying grounded.
"I'm glad he said that because it means a lot to me, but I still need to do everything by myself and it's going to be hard," he said.
"I'm going to do everything and enjoy it because if you don't enjoy doing what you do then you should stop playing darts."
With the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam set to join the UK and Ireland's biggest venues in hosting the sport's widest-reaching event, Van Gerwen is excited about the possibility of playing in his home country.
"I want to play in Rotterdam," added Van Gerwen. "It's the first time we're going to have such big crowd in Holland. It sold out in 47 minutes so it's fantastic and I'm really looking forward to doing well this season.
"It's going to be difficult to have another good season like I did last year but I'm up for it, I feel good and I'm fresh."
You can watch the opening night live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm on Thursday, we will be building up to the coverage this week and our live blog here at www.skysports.com/darts and on the Sky Sports app will keep you up to date with all the action.
