Michael van Gerwen on returning from surgery at the Matchplay, “ It was a big risk for me of course. I didn’t have a choice”

Having had surgery on his wrist for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, by his own admission, he is still not 100% but it was a risk he had to take for his career, as the Green Machine tries to play his way back into fitness at the World Matchplay.

“Wasn’t too well but the most important thing was that I won my game. I know it wasn’t the best but today the doubles was my key. I didn’t feel well all day also this afternoon, I had a headache and with heat like this, you can have a lot of headaches. It wasn’t my day to be fair,”

“I can’t really complain too much about that to be fair. Tournaments like this are more suitable for me as you play one night, get a day off. If you play the ProTour, you play so many games so many hours on a one day, that is not suitable yet.”

“I wasn’t ready for the ProTours, too long days for me. It’s why I went on holiday. I know in my practice, when I play a lot it starts to get itchy.

“I feel good otherwise I wouldn’t be playing in this tournament. Only thing I have to focus on myself and my Tuesday night game against Joe Cullen and I’m looking forward to that one.”

“It was a big risk for me of course. I didn’t have a choice, I had to do it or otherwise I could have permanent wrist damage and you don’t want to cause that for yourself.”