Michael van Gerwen put Sky Sports in an awkward spot with a slip of the tongue following his defeat to Luke Littler in the World Darts Championship final.
The Dutchman ended up on the wrong side of a 7-3 hammering, with Littler pulling out all the stops to achieve world domination at the age of just 17.
Van Gerwen was obviously hurting after the match, but remained classy in defeat and gave credit to Littler for delivering when it mattered.
In his interview on Sky Sports, he said: “I went 4-0 behind and after that I didn’t do myself justice, but that’s the way it is. You need to try and fight and battle back.
“After coming back from 4-0 down, I definitely wasn’t the worst player out of us but fair play to him. Every moment he got to hurt me, he did.
“I sometimes say that every 17 years a star gets born and he’s one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I had a lovely tournament. I’ve been battling my own game but that’s how it was. You have to take it on the chin and take it as a champion.”
Van Gerwen was then quizzed on the pain of defeat and blurted out a swear word, forcing Sky Sports to apologise to viewers for the language used.
He said: “It hurts but that’s how it should be. I have to make sure that I keep playing better. I’m an old b*****d compared to him, but it is what it is. I have to take it on the chin.”
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The 35-year-old showed real determination to win three of the final six sets, but was ultimately made to pay for his slow start. Littler managed to settle his nerves before Van Gerwen found his rhythm and was duly rewarded with the Sid Waddell Trophy.
Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster noted: “Michael had a real go and never gave in, but Luke had all the answers. He played the key moments better. He’s been the best player this tournament.
“It’s the finishing, because you’re offering your opponent no hope. Every time he was on D10, you felt it was going to go in and Michael knew what was coming.
“[Littler] said he felt nervous but he didn’t look it. If you can do that to Michael van Gerwen in a world final, you’re doing something right.”