"I think that's a joke": Gerwyn Price laughs off talk of Beau Greaves Premier League Darts spot, believes his credentials shouldn't be questioned

Gerwyn Price insists he’s far from finished after topping his group at the Grand Slam of Darts, declaring that there’s still “plenty more to come” as he looks to mount a serious challenge for another major title.

The 2021 World Champion recovered from an opening defeat to progress as group winner, and admitted it had been a nervy campaign despite his composed appearance on stage while in Wolverhampton.

“Obviously it was a slow start,” said Price post match. “Gutted to lose the first game, but to come through and top the group, I’m happy with that. It was a nervy game — probably didn’t show it all the way through apart from towards the end when I was just trying to get the win.”

Although outwardly calm, the Welshman revealed he was feeling the tension throughout. “I was edgy all the way through. Sometimes I play better when the pressure’s on and I’m a bit edgy. I was concentrating in that game,” he explained.

Price also touched on his well-known quirks and superstitions, having reverted to his trademark black shirt and shoes for this event. “I stuck with my black and white shoes for a bit,” he said. “My buddy John’s been away for quite a while, and whenever he’s with me it’s a good omen. He said, ‘Go back to your black shoes — get rid of those Nathan Aspinall trainers!’ So I have, and yeah, it’s worked.”

Even though he’d enjoyed success in other footwear, Price joked that the old favourites had brought him far more luck. “Yeah, I won a World Series event in those trainers, but I’ve won a lot more with these ones!”

He admitted, with a laugh, that his superstitious streak extends beyond clothing. “I’m staying outside Wolverhampton and there’s an empty car park there — I’ve parked in the same space the last couple of nights, but tonight there was a car in it and it played with my head a little bit!”

Despite advancing with confidence, Price believes he still has much more to offer. “I’m playing decent. I haven’t peaked yet — don’t get me wrong, I’m playing all right, but there’s plenty more to come,” he said. “I’m practising unbelievably well, but it’s about taking that onto the main stage. There are a lot more gears, a lot more in the tank — it’s just about getting it out when it matters.”

The former world number one is content to let others take the spotlight for now, with much of the current attention focused on Luke Humphries and Luke Littler. “I actually prefer people putting me down rather than picking others up,” he admitted. “It makes me want to prove them wrong, gives me a kick up the backside. People say I’m finished or on a slippery slope, but I had the worst year last year and I’m still scraping the top 10. If I can get back into the top eight by the end of this season, then I’ll have a free year next year.”

Price says his confidence is growing as the Grand Slam progresses. “Mentally, I’m in a good place,” he said. “It’s just about performing when it matters, under the ultimate pressure. I’ve been under that a couple of times already in this tournament, but it’s getting better and stronger.”

He also addressed speculation about a possible Premier League return next year — and didn’t hold back in making his case. “I think I’m one of the best players this season,” Price insisted. “Last year I was terrible when I was in it, but right now I’m number one on the ProTour and number one on the Players Championship list. If you look at money earned, I’m top five or six. So yeah — don’t question me, question everyone else.”

When asked about suggestions that Beau Greaves could earn a Premier League place, Price was blunt: “Yeah, I think that’s a bit of a joke, to be honest. I don’t know.”

Despite criticism from some quarters, the Iceman insists he no longer lets outside opinions get to him. “It used to bother me, but not anymore,” he said. “I’ve done what I’ve done, I’ve played in the Premier League, and if I’m not in it next year then whoever is, deserves it. But over the last 12 months I’ve been one of the best performers, and it’d be a bit harsh if I didn’t get in.”

That change of outlook, he explained, came from working on his mental game. “I had a bit of sports psychology before the World Championship last year and it sort of kicked me into gear — made me think more positively. It’s worked over the last 12 months, and I think I’ve been performing pretty well.”

Price admitted that, despite his experience, the group stage still brings out nerves more than any other round. “That’s probably the most nervous I’ve been for quite a while,” he said. “I just wanted to qualify through the groups and get into the last 16. You don’t really get that nervous in a final — it’s weird, because the first round is always the toughest one. Once you’re in a final, you’ve already picked up ranking points and the edginess goes. I don’t get nervous very often, but today I did.”

Against Stefan Bellmont, Price’s plan was clear: get in early and take control. “I love to start well and get some legs on the board to put people under pressure,” he explained. “It doesn’t always happen, but whether I’m in front or behind, I can play either way. Putting him under pressure was key — I think it put some doubts in his mind, but I just focused on my own game.”

With the group phase done, Price says it now feels like a new tournament. “Yeah, it’s pretty much like the World Championship — before and after Christmas. You get through the group stage, have a day off, then start afresh,” he said.

Next up is Germany’s Martin Schindler, who Price has faced several times before. “He’s one of the boys in really good form right now,” he acknowledged. “I’ll just concentrate on my own game — I know I’m in a good place. If I hit my A-game, I think I’ll come through, but if I don’t, it’ll be a battle.”

Price’s form on the floor has been exceptional, with four Players Championship titles to his name in 2025 — and he believes another major breakthrough could be imminent. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “Sometimes you need a bit of luck to win the big ones. I’ve been battling away and haven’t had much luck at all. It’s the back end of the season, so hopefully I’ve saved my luck for now — for this tournament, the Players Championship and mainly the Worlds.”

He’s also been praised for his impressive physical transformation, though he downplayed its impact on results. “Everyone’s got their own routines and fitness stuff,” he said. “It’s better to be the way I am now than how I was before — it definitely helps, but I don’t think it gives me any special advantage over others.”

Price believes his consistent ProTour success this season has relieved the pressure when it comes to televised majors. “When you’re winning ProTours and Europeans and picking up ranking points, it actually eases the pressure,” he said. “If you’re going out early in those, then you feel like you have to perform in the majors. But I’ve covered myself on the ProTour and Europeans, so it takes a bit of pressure off in these big ones.”