Gerwyn Price has revealed he has already mapped out his exit from top-level darts as he insisted he still sees himself as an ‘amateur’ player.
After a difficult first half of the year, blighted by injury and poor results, The Iceman has been in red-hot form over the last few months, reaching the final of the World Matchplay and winning the World Series Finals.
He also through to the last eight of the World Grand Prix in Leicester after a 3-2 win over Joe Cullen in the last 16. After the match, Price insisted he still has plenty of room for improvement and lacks experience compared to many of his rivals. He also revealed he plans to spend no more than eight years in the sport.
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“People say you’ve got a life of luxury, on the road travelling the world, but it’s a tough sport. It is tough travelling all the time and missing everything with your family,” the former pro rugby player told Online Darts TV.
“Over the next five, six, seven years, I will improve. I’m still an amateur in my eyes. I’m doing what I’m doing but I’m nowhere near as experienced as half of these boys.
“Give me another three, four years, I’ll be a way better player. Another four years after that, bye-bye.”
Price drew first blood in a scrappy first set, but Cullen restored parity at one apiece with a clean sweep in set two, before moving 2-1 ahead in the match.
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(Image: Online Darts TV)
Price regained his focus to blitz through set four with legs of 15, 13 and 14 darts, and the deciding set followed a similar pattern.
The 2021 World Champion followed up a 104 checkout by taking out 305 in six darts, firing in a superb 171 and taking out a tops-tops 134 combination, before a clinical 88 kill capped off an inspired fightback.
“I put myself under a lot of pressure, but when my back was up against the wall I produced my best darts,” said Price, who is bidding to reach a third successive World Grand Prix final.
“I’m nowhere near my best. I was way off the pace early on, but I produce my best stuff under pressure, which is brilliant.”
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