Fallon Sherrock, the 31-year-old English darts star known as "The Queen of the Palace," has expressed frustration over Michael van Gerwen's recent withdrawals due to illness, using her own physical challenges to argue that players must push through discomfort. Speaking on the Double Tops podcast, Sherrock stated, "I don't think you can play down if you're not feeling very well. You still have to produce your game and stuff. I have my period, and I've still got to play. People don't understand the cramps and stuff. I don't want to be there, but I have to. I have to go, and I have to play well. Otherwise, I'm losing."
Her comments follow Van Gerwen's series of absences: the three-time world champion missed Night 3 of the Premier League Darts 2026, withdrew from Players Championship 5 and 6, and skipped the first European Tour event of the year, totaling four consecutive tournaments. Upon his return in Belfast, Van Gerwen narrowly lost 6-5 to Gerwyn Price on Night 4 of the Premier League Darts. Sherrock, discussing his form, was sceptical of using illness as an excuse, saying, "You have to go and you have to try. So when people say they're sick...I'm not having it. Man flu, it's not real. I don't care. It's just the flu, it's not because you're a man. I'm sorry."
Van Gerwen had told Dutch media he "felt really bad" during his absence and wasn't fully recovered in Belfast but was "fit enough" to play. Sherrock emphasized that darts demands not just physical ability but mental focus and resilience, even when uncomfortable. Her remarks have sparked broader discussions in the darts world about physical challenges, particularly for female players who often push through menstruation while maintaining performance levels. Many in the community share her stance, highlighting that darts requires concentration, precision, and mental toughness, with absences or dips impacting results, audiences, and competitions.
