Gerwyn Price on his critics: "Whenever you're winning it's a problem"

There are a handful of 2018 major winners competing for the 2019 PDC World Darts Championship crown. Gerwyn Price is one of them.

The Welshman achieved a personal dream by capturing the Grand Slam of Darts title in Wolverhampton. In doing so, he became the first man from his country to claim a PDC major. Yet his landmark success was marred by accusations of gamesmanship. Price's win over Gary Anderson in the final was a particular flashpoint. As a result, a lot of eyes will be on the sixth seed at the World Championship. But Price refuses to be bothered by his critics.
"There's been a bit of a dampener on social media over it but I shut my front door and I'm enjoying the trophy on my mantelpiece, so happy days," Price said to Live Darts.
"If you watch all of my games, I'm exactly the same person but it only becomes a problem when you start winning and beating people that you're not expected to beat.
"Nothing's ever said, then when I go and play my game in the Grand Slam, I'm a 'bad' person.
"I play my own game every single time, some people like it, some people don't and I'm not bothered."

"I believe I can win"

Moving on to the Ally Pally, Price starts his campaign more than a week into the tournament, against Nathan Aspinall or Geert Nentjes. Looking beyond the second round, Price can see himself competing for the title on January 1. In an open-looking bottom half of the draw, anything is possible for the Iceman.
"Being higher in the rankings means you get better draws until you get further on in the tournament," Price said.
"I believe I can get to the final and I believe I can actually win this year, whereas the last couple of years I've probably gone into it and thought 'I'll win one or two games and see how it goes'.
"Now I know that on my day, if I play my best game I can actually win this thing.
"I've not really done well in the Worlds since I've been in it.
"I'm in the best form possible now going into the biggest tournament of the year so I'm looking forward to it."