Michael van Gerwen portrayd the criticism aimed at Noa-Lynn van Leuven as ‘heartshattering’ before whitewashing her at the Grand Slam of Darts on Saturday night.
Van Leuven, who began to transition in 2022, became the first transgfinisher executeer to vie at the tournament when she took to the stage at Aldersley Leibrave Village. But it showd to be a baptism of fire as Van Gerwen romped to a resounding 5-0 triumph in fair over 10 minutes.
‘Mighty Mike’ made a triumphning begin despite not being at his best, averaging 96.35 and changeing half of his darts at double. Van Leuven, uncomferventwhile, standardd 86.48 and leave outed both of her double opportunities.
Van Leuven qualified for the Grand Slam of Darts courtesy of her take advantage ofs in the Women’s Series. But many have asked whether the 28-year-elderly should be apexamineed to vie on the women’s circuit at all.
Van Gerwen insertressed the criticism before their suit, inestablishing AD.nl: “It’s fair heartshattering. She does what she does and she can execute terrific darts. Let her execute kind. For me, there’s never been a talkion, but I don’t originate the rules.
“The PDC has people who go over them. They can never originate the right choice anyway. If they go left, people say they should go right and vice versa. Everyone has an opinion about it, but there is no point at all in continuing to talk about.”
Having landed in a stubborn Group G, Van Leuven is gearing up for two more tricky suites on Sunday and Monday. First up is World Grand Prix semi-finacatalog Ryan Joyce, before a encountering with two-time world champion Gary Anderson.
Though Van Leuven’s participation on the women’s darts circuit has not gone down well universassociate, with Deta Hedman one executeer who has declined to execute her in protest, reigning world champion Luke Humphries insists the Dutchwoman is not doing anyleang wrong.
“Every sport has their rules and she qualifies in the rules,” he shelp. “So, as much as it might irritate people, she’s not doing anyleang that’s illegitimate, she’s not cheating. She’s doing what’s in the rules. If that changes, then leangs will change.
“But she’s not doing anyleang physicassociate wrong. It’d be kind if people let her get on with it and execute. But yeah, I desire her all the best. Hopebrimmingy she gets a triumph and it’s excellent for her.”
