“I think I can be a three or four time World Champion” – Gerwyn Price bullish ahead of World Matchplay title tilt

Gerwyn Price returns to the Winter Gardens tonight, fully focused on winning a tournament he loves to help him climb back up the rankings. Price, 40, said that the World Matchplay has been a tournament he’s targeted and focused on for the last couple of weeks. He’ll go into his first-round game tonight against World Cup winner Daryl Gurney motivated for success.

"I love the World Matchplay,” Price said. “This is a tournament I really want to win, and one I’ve been targeting and focusing on for the last couple of weeks. Fingers crossed I can lift the trophy because I’m playing well enough to do it."

Currently ranked number nine in the world, the former world number one sees this as an opportunity to push himself back up the rankings to where he believes he belongs. “That would really push me back up the rankings, ease the pressure in that sense, and then I could look forward to the back end of the year.”

The Welshman's form has vastly improved over the last few months, winning numerous titles on the Pro and European Tour, and reaching the final four of the Premier League after an impressive campaign.

He attributes much of this to his new mentality, going for a healthier lifestyle, which has made him "feel good."

“The main difference for me has been mentally,” Price said, speaking to Dan Dawson on the Darts Show Podcast. “I’ve tried to be a bit more healthy, I’ve dropped a bit of weight, and I feel good. I’ve also tried to be more positive, and that’s what I’ve done throughout the Premier League.”

This new mentality is also being introduced on the oche, with the Iceman trying to be more positive, despite still beating himself up after losing. He said: “I still hate losing, I still beat myself up, but I’m trying to be more positive, and it seems to have worked. I know how well I can play, I know how well I’ve played this season, and I feel like my game is going to get better now.”

It’s rare that a darts throw stays the same throughout someone’s career, with players constantly aiming to improve and develop their technique. Price has said his throw is "still developing" and expects it to change further in the future.

“I’ve only been playing darts for 11 years in total,” Price said. “My throw is still developing, and when you look at my throw from three years ago, it’s a lot different now. I’m sure if you look at it in three years’ time, it will be different again."

He has compared his development to other greats of the game, including multiple-time World Champions Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright. Price predicts a similar path for himself, one that will see him retire as one of the most decorated darts players.

He said: “Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen, and those boys who have developed over 20 to 30 years – look at how much they’ve improved their game."

“In another ten years, I think I will be a three or four-time World Champion. I will have won every major, and I will be ready to retire.”