Gerwyn Price’s Transformation: From Reluctance to Peak Performance

Gerwyn Price, who secured his first televised PDC title at the 2018 Grand Slam, has experienced a challenging conclusion to what has often been a frustrating 2024, marked by his absence from the Grand Slam and early eliminations from both the Players Championship and the European Championship. However, this period of setbacks has provided the 39-year-old with an unforeseen opportunity for reflection and, significantly, a renewed sense of purpose. The former world champion shared with BBC Sport Wales, “It’s been different just being at home.” He elaborated, “I’ve been going to tournaments not really wanting to be there. Being home, missing the Grand Slam, I had the best part of three weeks off before I played in the Players Championship finals. “Since then all I’ve done is be on the board and got myself ready for the World Championship.”I think I’ve played in six exhibitions, and got to four or five finals so it’s been really good for me in boosting my confidence, and getting my game back to where it should be.”I think I’m playing some of the best darts I’ve ever played.” Price asserts he has returned to his peak form in anticipation of the World Darts Championship. Despite these recent difficulties, the Welsh darts player’s year has also included victories at the Nordic Darts Masters and Australian Darts Masters, with the latter culminating in an 8-1 dominant performance against rising star Luke Littler in the final. Nevertheless, the more immediate disappointment, specifically his non-participation in the Grand Slam—a competition Price has triumphed in on three occasions—proved to be a mixed blessing, allowing him valuable time with his wife, Beth, and their daughters, Emily and Bethany. He further explained, “We got married just before the Grand Slam in 2018 and every year obviously anniversaries come around but I was always in the Grand Slam, so it’s been a bittersweet moment this year,” adding, “Obviously I wanted to play in the Grand Slam, that never happened but then I get to spend time with my family, my wife. “My daughter’s just had her 14th birthday, my other daughter her 18th, and I got to celebrate my anniversary, which I haven’t done since 2018.” This uncommon opportunity to be with his family has revitalized the player, who has accumulated 12 televised titles since transitioning from rugby to professional darts in 2014. Price has also found comfort and benefit in recent exhibition matches, particularly enjoying practice sessions with his close friend and former player Barrie Bates, who encouraged Price to obtain his tour card over ten years ago. This renewed vigor has led the former Neath, Cross Keys, and Glasgow Warriors hooker to believe he is once again the formidable opponent at the World Championship, where he is scheduled to compete against Keane Barry in the second round on Monday night. Price stated, “People say I’ve played bad this year, I haven’t played bad this year, I’ve just had bad results, and the swing of things hasn’t gone my way.” He continued, “I just kept rolling and rolling, saying everything will click and things will come and people can’t keep doing what they’re doing against me, but they just did. “That’s testament to the sport and the players playing a lot better around me.”I’m easy to beat when I’m not playing at my best, but beat me at my best? I think I’m back to my best.”I’ve been playing really well in exhibitions, I’ve been practising with my mate Barrie Bates. “There’s no reason why I can’t win. If I play anywhere near the way I have the last two weeks then nobody beats me.” Price previously defeated Gary Anderson to claim the 2021 World Darts Championship title. Price is among six Welsh participants in this year’s prestigious event at Alexandra Palace, alongside Jonny Clayton, Jim Williams, Rob Owen, Nick Kenny, and Rhys Griffin, all competing in London. Darts has seen a significant surge in popularity in Wales in recent years, with Price and Clayton securing World Cup victories as a team in both 2020 and 2023. The Markham native expresses confidence that the talent pipeline will continue to grow, partly due to his efforts with local players in his hometown. Price commented, “The likes of Rob Owen and Nick Kenny, they’re all getting better, and Jim Williams, I think he’s been playing really well this year.” He added, “Similar to me, he’s been playing fantastic but just coming up against it.”I’m sure there’s a lot more Welsh young talent coming through.”I know there’s a couple of youngsters in the academy which I helped set up that are going to be coming through to play in the JDC (Junior Darts Corporation).”It started off with small numbers but I’m sure they have about 80 or 90 now.”Fingers crossed in the next couple of years, there’ll be a couple more boys coming through.”