Gerwyn Price threatened to boycott PDC World Championship because of the fans
Former PDC world champion Gerwyn Price admitted he was close to boycotting this year’s event due to his treatment from the Alexandra Palace crowd.
The 2021 winner - who lifted the title in an empty arena - is often subjected to taunting from the London crowd and infamously donned a pair of ear defenders last year. Price has called for darts' biggest event to move around the world, to make it a more level playing field
And speaking after his dominant second round win over Connor Scutt, Price revealed he gave serious consideration to pulling out of the 2024 event altogether. "I was sat in my house at 6 o'clock yesterday and probably wasn't going to play the tournament. I wasn't even on my way to London.”
But despite a smattering of boos as he made his way on stage, the capacity crowd was largely respectful during his 3-0 victory. He added: "It is really difficult to come here with crowds on your back but credit to the crowd. If they keep on like this, there is no reason I can't win it."
The world number five joined the likes of Michael Smith, Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson in the third round, with Michael van Gerwen set to begin his campaign on Tuesday night. Price averaged a solid 98.01 and hit his doubles at almost 40 per cent, despite suffering from some pre-match nerves.
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The Welshman said: "It wasn't my A-game - first-round jitters - but I am happy to get through... I played pretty decent. The crowd were brilliant. Last year they got on my back but this year they were brilliant. I was a bit apprehensive but fair play to them."
It was a significantly more positive experience than Price envisioned before the tournament when he called for darts bosses to consider moving the world championship away from its current home in the English capital.
Gerwyn Price has called for the event to be moved away from the Alexandra Palace (Sky Sports)“I want to win it when the family's there, not watching on TV from 200 miles away,” he explained. “And I want to lift that trophy again when I can show it off and it's not locked up in my kitchen.
“I don't class 2021 as a win because it was sterile, it was like the Home Tour when we were playing in our living rooms. It may be the World Championship, but for me it's not the real thing when it's behind closed doors. Not for me, it isn't.
“Can I win it again? Sure... when it goes to Wales, Germany or wherever. That's what happens with other sports – their World Cup or World Championship is played in different countries.
“I think it's only right that the tournament should move to different parts of the world, and then I'll have a better chance.”
Price will now have a break over Christmas before he returns for the third round against, possibly, Brendan Dolan.
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