How weight-loss journey reinvigorated Gerwyn Price's career - "Feeling good about myself — and then it shows on the board"

Over the last few months, there has arguably been no player in better form in the PDC that former world champion and world number one Gerwyn Price. With the 2025 World Matchplay this weekend, the Welshman is now looking to ride that wave of momentum all the way to his first ever Phil Taylor Trophy.

With successes on the World Series of Darts, European Tour and Players Championship circuit, plus a run to the final at the World Cup of Darts alongside Jonny Clayton, Price is used to winning matches at the moment. "I knew when the Premier League was over that I'd start with a bit of form, because that's usually what happens," he explains in an interview with TalkSport Darts. "You know, it's obviously tough being in the Premier League and trying to balance all the other tournaments, but then when the Premier League's behind you, I start to play a little bit better — and it’s shown over the last couple of weeks."

Price doesn't have the easiest of draws in the opening round at the Winter Gardens though. His latest quest for the World Matchplay title begins against Daryl Gurney, who was one half of the Northern Irish side that beat Wales in the World Cup of Darts final earlier this summer.

"I don't think it's about getting one back. I mean, that’s a Pairs tournament, you know. It was Ireland against Wales. This is individual — it's totally different. It's first to 10. I prefer it with the longer distance format, but Daryl's playing some good stuff as well, so I need to be on my game if I want to win," Price previews. "But, you know, it's no better time — I’ve won two tournaments over the last two or three weeks and reached a couple of finals, and done really well on the ProTours and European. So it's been a good couple of weeks and a good confidence boost for me."

Price could even be set for a meeting with both Northern Irish World Cup winners if the draw plays out. "I mean, Josh Rock is playing fantastic — but there's a lot of boys that are playing really well," analyses Price, not getting drawn into looking too far ahead. "Josh has power scoring, but it's a different kettle of fish when you're on the big stage in the big majors. I know it’s not easy to do it on the ProTours and Europeans, but you know, it's a lot tougher to get that consistency right through a big major. But Josh is in some great form and there's no reason why he can't do it."

One thing that is helping Price's cause however, is a recent weight loss regime he's been on. "Oh, definitely. It gives you a little bit of, you know, self-confidence," he smiles. "And even just by the way I feel when — obviously, you probably know what it's like when you wear clothes and sometimes you don't feel comfortable, or you know, you keep sucking it in every two minutes and trying to hide your belly. It's nice just being back in the gym, losing a bit of weight and, you know, feeling good about myself — and then it shows on the board as well."

Something Price is, as mentioned, hoping to continue next week in Blackpool. "Yeah, obviously I'm looking for some extra ranking points, which — you know, the Matchplay’s the second biggest one of the season in terms of ranking points and stature," he explains. "So yeah, it's one that I've never won. I've lost in the final there and yeah, I'm desperate to win it. But, you know, I'm under no pressure. I'm playing really well and, you know, if I go up there and play as well as I can, then I think I'll do really well."

As mentioned, Price gets his 2025 World Matchplay campaign underway against Daryl Gurney, with the pair set to take to the iconic Winter Gardens stage on Monday, July 21st.