Gerwyn Price pulls out of tournament after 'feeling cold' ahead of Littler match
Darts star Gerwyn Price withdrew from the Players' Championship midway through his last 16 clash with Brendan Dolan after reportedly 'feeling cold'.
The Iceman had been building up to a good level, after squeezing past Karel Sedlacek in his first match, which he won 6-5. He then dominated against Matthew Dennant, throwing an average of more than 110 as he cruised to a 6-2 victory.
But things fell apart for the Welshman in the last 16 against Dolan. The Irishman had struck up a 4-2 lead over his opponent, putting him in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals in Wigan.
As he looked to be heading towards defeat, Price made the shock decision to quit the match. That allowed Dolan to reach the quarter-finals, where he was defeated by Gian van Veen 6-5.
In a statement, PDC chiefs revealed Price quit because he felt cold. A spokesperson said: “Gerwyn decided not to complete his match against Brendan Dolan and left the venue immediately. We understand he felt the venue was cold.”
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Price though blasted the conditions at the the Robin Park Tennis Centre, where the event was being held. The Welshman insisted the venue was not up to scratch for a professional tournament.
“Absolutely pathetic conditions. Travel all the way to Wigan to play in a professional game and we have to play in less than amateur conditions," the former world champion wrote in a statement on Instagram.
Price will face darts sensation Luke Littler in the Premier League on Thursday (2024 BSR Agency)"Never have I ever given a game up. Well that's me out to tomorrow as well. Gutted because my game was really good today and I rely on these events so much.''
Price will now not feature in day two of the competition on Tuesday. That means his next outing at the oche will come in the Premier League on Thursday, where he faces Luke Littler in the night's quarter-finals.
The 17-year-old won the Players Championship's first day, hitting seven 180s to defeat Ryan Searle. Littler reached the final of the Premier League's second night, where he was just beaten by Michael van Gerwen.
Price meanwhile was beaten in the quarter-finals by Michael Smith, having finished runner-up on night one. But the Welshman has previously insisted he is not afraid of facing darts sensation Littler.
"Luke is a great player, he's young and he's got no scars yet. He's just playing with a bit of freedom and you can see that in him, on the board and in the practice room. But if I had to put my life on the line for double tops I'd back myself!" Price said last month.
"When I've seen him in and around the practice room, the way he approaches things he doesn't really interact. There's no pressure on his shoulders and I think he'll relish it, I think he will be fantastic and play well every Premier League - and I hope he does as well."
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