Ben Hoskins via Getty Images
Dutchman Michael Van Gerwen admitted he felt the pressure on his way to winning the Ladbrokes World Championship final on Wednesday night.
The 24-year-old raced into a 4-0 lead but struggled to maintain the high level of darts against Peter Wright, although he held his nerve to wrap up a seven sets to four success.
After securing the Sid Waddell Trophy at Alexandra Palace, Van Gerwen said: "It was a very tough match. I got nervous after going 4-0 up - but it doesn't matter how you win a final, winning it is the most important thing.
Van Gerwen wins World Darts final
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(01 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands celebrates with the trophy after winning the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(02 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands celebrates with his girlfriend Daphne after winning the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(03 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands (C) poses for a picture with the Chairman of the PDC Barry Hearn (L) and the Cheif Executive of Ladbrokes Richard Glynn (R) after winning the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(04 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Peter Wright of Scotland congratulates Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(05 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands celebrates after winning a set during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(06 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands celebrates with the trophy after winning the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(07 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen celebrates defeating Peter Wright of Scotland and winning the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(08 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands celebrates after winning a set during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(09 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands celebrates with The Sid Waddell trophy after winning during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(10 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen celebrates defeating Peter Wright of Scotland and winning the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
DARTS-GBR-WORLD(11 of39)
Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder Andros Townsend watches Britains Peter Wright against Netherlands Michael van Gerwen during the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
DARTS-GBR-WORLD(12 of39)
Britains Peter Wright reacts during the PDC World Championship darts final against Netherlands Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Britains Peter Wright reacts during the PDC World Championship darts final against Netherlands Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(14 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands celebrates with The Sid Waddell trophy after winning during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
DARTS-GBR-WORLD(15 of39)
Netherlands Michael van Gerwen celebrates with the Sid Waddell trophy after defeating Britains Peter Wright in the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
DARTS-GBR-WORLD(16 of39)
The Netherlands Michael van Gerwen runs his fingers through the hair of Britains Peter Wright after defeating Wright in the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
DARTS-GBR-WORLD(17 of39)
Netherlands Michael van Gerwen celebrates with the Sid Waddell trophy after defeating Britains Peter Wright in the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Netherlands Michael van Gerwen celebrates with the Sid Waddell trophy after defeating Britains Peter Wright in the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
DARTS-GBR-WORLD(19 of39)
Netherlands Michael van Gerwen celebrates with the Sid Waddell trophy after defeating Britains Peter Wright in the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
DARTS-GBR-WORLD(20 of39)
Netherlands Michael van Gerwen celebrates with the Sid Waddell trophy after defeating Britains Peter Wright in the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
DARTS-GBR-WORLD(21 of39)
Netherlands Michael van Gerwen celebrates with the Sid Waddell trophy after defeating Britains Peter Wright in the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Reveller in fancy dress in the crows is pictured during the PDC World Championship darts final between Britains Peter Wright and Netherlands Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Britains Peter Wright arrives on the stage for the PDC World Championship darts final against Netherlands Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Revellers in the crows bring jugs of beer to their table during the PDC World Championship darts final between Britains Peter Wright and Netherlands Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Netherlands Michael van Gerwen arrives on the stage for the PDC World Championship darts final against Britains Peter Wright at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(26 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: A spectator holds up a placard during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships between Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands and Peter Wright of Scotland at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Netherlands Michael van Gerwen reacts against Britains Peter Wright during the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Britains Peter Wright throws during the PDC World Championship darts final against Netherlands Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Netherlands Michael van Gerwen reacts against Britains Peter Wright during the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(30 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: A spectator in fancy dress watches the action during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships between Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands and Peter Wright of Scotland at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Netherlands Michael van Gerwen throws against Britains Peter Wright during the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(32 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands reacts during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships against Peter Wright of Scotland at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Netherlands Michael van Gerwen (L) shakes hands with Britains Peter Wright (R) before the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Britains Peter Wright throws during the PDC World Championship darts final against Netherlands Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(35 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Peter Wright of Scotland reacts during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships against Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(36 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Peter Wright of Scotlands celebrates winning a leg during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships against Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(37 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Peter Wright of Scotland celebrates winning the fifth set during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships against Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Netherlands Michael van Gerwen reacts against Britains Peter Wright during the PDC World Championship darts final at Alexandra Palace in north London on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2014 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - Day Sixteen(39 of39)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Peter Wright of Scotland celebrates winning the fifth set during the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships against Michael van Gerwen of The Netherlands at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"This is a dream come true. I'm so glad I won this. It's so difficult to win this title. There wasn't so much pressure on me last year as this year - but it means so much to me.
"It's unbelievable but all credit to Peter, he did well and put me under pressure."
Suffolk-based Scot Wright thanked the crowd for helping raise his game and end the one-sided nature of the contest.
He added on Sky Sports 1: "I never give up - that's my game. The crowd got behind me and made me play and I thank them for it - but well done Michael."