''Last year Raymond pinched one out of my pocket" - Gerwyn Price hasn't forgotten quarter-final heartbreak against Van Barneveld at Grand Slam of Darts

Gerwyn Price got off to a winning start at the Grand Slam of Darts on Saturday afternoon. The three-time winner of this tournament won 5-1 over Nathan Rafferty in his opening group match.

So a big win, although the preparation didn't exactly go perfectly as Price acknowledged afterwards in conversation with Online Darts post-match. ''To be honest, going on to the stage I wasn't very confident. I haven't practiced much too much, practice room was absolutely freezing and I just I didn't feel it today but I done a job, I won the game so I'm happy."

With the first two points in this group in his pocket, Price will work toward his duel against Ryan Searle. ''First game is always the toughest one and you need to get some points on the board," he assesses. "I'm glad I got a couple of points on the board and I can look forward now."

At the European Championship in late October, Price squandered a chance at a major title by giving up an 8-0 lead in his quarterfinal against Danny Noppert. ''Obviously it hurts when you when you lose big leads like that. But I think I'm better when it's a little bit closer, nip and tuck. As soon as he starts come back into the game you start thinking a bit too much. Full credit to him but it's one that got away."

It is only a month until the start of the World Darts Championship, but 'The Iceman' is not busy with that tournament yet. ''I'm here to win this tournament. I haven't looked at any other tournament other than this one. All eyes, all full focus, on this."

The Grand Slam of Darts is the tournament where Price captured his first major title in 2018. He was also the best at this event in 2019 and 2021. Last year, he surprisingly went down in the quarterfinals against Raymond van Barneveld.

''Last year Raymond pinched one out of my pocket," Price reflects somewhat sourly. ''Think that was the best he's played in a long while and he hasn't played that well since."