Gerwyn Price stunned the darts world by wearing earmuffs at the World Darts Championship during his quarter-final against Gabriel Clemens. It did not help him. 'The Iceman' lost 5-1 to 'The German Giant'.
The Welshman was again jeered by the crowd, which was also loudly booing whenever Price was throwing. After his elimination, Price posted a message that he doubts he will ever compete in the World Darts Championship again.
In the podcast "Game On", Elmar Paulke, known as the German voice of darts, saidthat he thinks the Welshman's action is a sign: "I have the thought that Gerwyn Price is actually considering ending his career. I think that is a realistic option. That's because Gerwyn Price has never really liked darts. Rugby is his love. Darts has brought him success, it has brought him a lot of money, from that he has been able to buy houses. It gave him financial security. Darts did all that for him, but it never - I think - reached his heart. That's why I could imagine Price saying at some point, 'You know what, why don't you play without me?' And then he just leaves. I don't think that's a scenario completely out of the blue."
Paulke also sees parallels with Paul Nicholson. The Australian took on the role of bad boy in the PDC in the past, but later had to realise that he lacked mental strength.
"It's a bit of what Paul Nicholson also lacked at one point and no longer had the sporting success," Paulke articulates his thoughts.
"They underestimate the role of the bad boy because in the beginning - the first two years - you think it's funny. They get booed, but they don't care. But there always comes a point when you can't stand it anymore. He can't stand it anymore, he can't laugh anymore either. He gets booed when he comes up and he gets mad inside,'' Paulke said.