“I had to see the doctor... I wasn’t sure what was happening" – Gerwyn Price explains health scare behind Euro Tour withdrawal

Gerwyn Price has spoken candidly about the physical issues that forced him to withdraw from the 2026 Poland Darts Open.

The former world champion struggled with significant back problems and also felt “not quite fit,” leaving him unable to prepare properly for the first European Tour event of the new season.

The current world number ten ultimately decided to skip the Poland Darts Open and take a rest. In hindsight, that proved a wise choice. “I was under the weather and I couldn’t prepare right,” said Price. “I had to take the weekend off and see the doctor, which gave me a bit of a boost. I wasn’t sure what was happening. I had lower back pains and things just weren’t right."

For the 40-year-old Welshman, the physical setback came at an awkward point in the season. Still, he stressed that stepping back was necessary. “I took time off, chilled out and feel a little bit better.”

That he is back on track was evident almost immediately on his return. On the ProTour he claimed the title straight away at Players Championship 6, underlining his form and resilience. Not long after, he returned to the Premier League Darts, where he made his presence felt in impressive fashion.

On Night 4 of the Premier League Darts in Belfast, Price saw off arch-rival Michael van Gerwen in the quarterfinals. In a thriller, the Welshman edged it 6-5. He averaged 100.88 and produced a fine 102 checkout at a crucial moment in the match. There seemed little sign of physical discomfort. Price struck his maximums with conviction and kept his cool in the deciding leg.

His surge ultimately ended in the semifinals, where he lost 6-5 to Gian van Veen. Even so, Price could be satisfied with his display, especially given the issues he had been dealing with shortly beforehand.

In the current Premier League table, Price sits in fourth place. Earlier this season, he already secured a nightly win in Antwerp, earning valuable points in the chase for a play-off spot. The Welshman also looks ahead to the rest of the year with confidence, partly because he has few ranking points to defend.

“I’m hardly defending anything. Two years ago I had the worst year I ever had in the PDC, so I am defending absolutely nothing this year," he explained. “Whoever is above me, I am going to catch them. If I get through the first round, I feel like I am unbeatable.”