The world of professional darts is abuzz, but this time, the focus is not solely on the oche. Dutch darts superstar Michael van Gerwen finds his personal life under intense scrutiny once again. This follows the circulation of photographs showing him hugging a woman outside a hotel, an incident that coincided with his ex-wife's public revelation about her pregnancy.
A Hug That Made Headlines
The images, which quickly spread online, showed Van Gerwen in an embrace with a woman. The timing raised eyebrows, as they emerged mere hours after his former partner, Daphne Govers, shared that she is expecting a child with her new partner. The couple had announced their separation seven months ago, expressing sadness but confirming their decision to part ways.
However, reports swiftly clarified the context of the viral photo. Sources confirmed that the woman was not a romantic interest but rather the wife of one of Van Gerwen's close friends. Despite this clarification, the incident fueled fresh rounds of speculation about the three-time world champion's private life, which has been a topic of public discussion for several months.
Daphne Govers' "Welcome Blessing"
In a candid interview with Dutch program Shownieuws, Daphne Govers opened up about her pregnancy journey. She described the news as a complete shock, revealing that doctors had previously told her conceiving naturally would be almost impossible. The discovery initially turned her world upside down, especially while managing her responsibilities with her other children.
"Over time, however, I accepted it," Govers stated, adding that she now sees the baby as a welcome blessing. When addressing her past relationship with Van Gerwen, she admitted to making a mistake, noting this was already known, but preferred to keep further details private. Asked about how Van Gerwen might feel regarding her pregnancy, she declined to speak for him, suggesting he was likely unhappy but stressing she did not truly know his feelings.
Van Gerwen's Focus on Darts and Personal Space
Amid the personal turbulence, Michael van Gerwen has consciously tried to step back from the chaos. Over the summer, he took a break from the darts circuit to focus on his personal well-being. He was spotted at major events like the Tomorrowland music festival and traveled to Ibiza, where he watched a performance by famed DJ Martin Garrix.
Now, his attention is firmly locked on the professional arena. He is back competing at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, where he remains in contention for the coveted $1.3 million prize. During his first-round match, he received visible public support from two close friends, both well-known figures on social media and Dutch entertainment platforms.
Van Gerwen is now preparing for a high-stakes fourth-round match against Gary Anderson. As the championship progresses, the darts world watches to see if he can channel his focus entirely on the game and add another major title to his legendary career, momentarily moving the spotlight away from his personal life and back onto his sporting prowess.
