Dutch darts superstar Michael van Gerwen's world title hopes are over after the three-time world champion tested positive to COVID-19.
Van Gerwen was due to face Chris Dobey in the last 32 at Alexandra Palace in London, but he was forced to withdraw after returning a positive test just hours before the match.
Due to his ranking, Van Gerwen received a bye into the round of 64, where he defeated Chas Barstow three sets to one, setting up the match with Dobey.
"This is the biggest nightmare you can imagine," van Gerwen told Dutch media outlet AD Sportwereld.
Van Gerwen and countryman Vincent Van der Voort are in isolation at their London hotel after both men tested positive 24 hours apart.
"Of course our health is the most important thing, but you're here to win the tournament'', Van Gerwen said.
''We get to sit here together now, but we had imagined this very differently. Again, this is really the biggest nightmare.''
Van Gerwen said he dined with Van der Voort and another compatriot Dirk van Duijenvode at his manager's house on Christmas Eve.
''We were all tested negative. I test myself here every day. I don't know where I caught it.''
Van Gerwen criticised organisers for their COVID precautions.
"They should check everyone at the door every day, they didn't do it. According to the British government they don't have to," he said.
"But to protect your own organisation and the world championship, it would have been handy. The PDC will always say they followed the rules of the government, but they could have looked at it more closely.
Van Gerwen, one of the sport's biggest drawcards, who is known to fans as MVG, last won the world title in 2019.
He was number one in the world from 2014 to 2021.
Defending world champion Gerwyn Price reacted on social media to the news.
"Now this tournament is de valued [sic]," he posted on Instagram.
Van Gerwen is the second former world champion to contract COVID at the championships.
Another Dutchman, five-time champion Raymond van Barneveld, began to feel unwell after his round of 64 loss to Rob Cross — and he later tested positive.
Cross has not tested positive and advanced to the round of 16 with a 4-3 win over Northern Irish player Daryl Gurney.
Ray Smith is the only Australian player left in the draw at the world titles after Damon Heta lost to world number two Peter Wright 4-2.
The Australian produced a brilliant start, leading his Scottish opponent two sets to nil. Wright then changed back to his old set of darts after averaging a little over 90 for the first two sets, and the result was immediate.
He averaged 108.75 for the last four sets, sweeping aside the Australian to reach the next round.
Smith, whose son Ky lost to Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven, will face Mervyn King in the tournament's last 16 after his 4-1 win over Germany's Florian Hempel.
