"Playing with a smile on my face these days" – Gerwyn Price brimming with confidence after dispatching Van Barneveld in Amsterdam

Gerwyn Price declared that he is “playing with a smile on my face these days” after producing another statement display at the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, where he battled past Raymond van Barneveld to book his quarter-final place.

The Welshman had already caught the eye with a commanding opening-round victory over American qualifier Danny Lauby earlier in the day, and he was forced to dig deep in the evening session as Van Barneveld rolled back the years in front of a partisan Dutch crowd.

The five-time world champion opened up a 3-1 cushion with a blistering 113 average, but Price refused to panic. He landed six of his nine attempts at double and maintained his composure to reel off five of the last six legs, sealing a 6-4 success with a 102.97 average to Barney’s 100.73.

“I think Raymond played fantastic, and with the crowd behind him – which you expect when playing in Ireland or Holland – he deserved everything he got,” Price reflected in his post-match press conference afterwards. “But I just stuck in there with my game, which has been pretty good over the last couple of weeks. When you’re 3-1 down and he’s averaging 113, I just thought, surely he can’t keep that up all the way through. I knew I was playing well, I just needed to take my opportunities, which I did.”

It was a display that underlined both Price’s form and resilience, two traits that have propelled him back towards his best after a testing 18 months.

Asked whether this was the best he has ever felt in the PDC, Price pointed to the all-conquering seasons of 2020 and 2021 but admitted he is in a much better place mentally. “Back then, my form was probably a little bit stronger,” he conceded. “But I’m definitely happier now. Like you said, I’m playing with a smile on my face these days."

“I feel good in myself, and when you’re on stage and you feel good, sometimes the darts go just as well as the way you’re feeling. As long as I can keep the weight off and keep playing well, then I’ll be decent.”

Price has followed the example of Luke Humphries in shedding pounds and sharpening up his fitness, though he was quick to stress that there is no one-size-fits-all formula. “I feel more confident since losing a bit of weight, but everybody’s different,” he said. “Peter [Wright] has done the same and says it hasn’t worked for him. For me it’s made a difference, but every individual is different.”

This latest triumph extends Price’s remarkable World Series record in 2025. The two-time champion has reached the semi-finals or better in every event bar one this season, and he believes the unique nature of the tour suits him. “Maybe it’s because there are no ranking points, so there’s less pressure,” Price suggested. “I just enjoy playing around the world and in front of the fans. Especially in Holland and across Europe, the crowds are getting better for me week in, week out. I’m just enjoying myself.”

That enjoyment has already translated into titles this year across the World Series, the Pro Tour and the Euro Tour, with the Grand Slam and World Championship looming large on the horizon. “Hopefully it’s the Grand Slam next – that’s my favourite tournament,” Price smiled. “Whoever wins the Grand Slam usually goes on and wins the Worlds. Michael Smith has done it, Luke Humphries has done it, Littler as well. So if I do well there, hopefully it sets me up.”

Beyond the tungsten, Price also made the most of his time in Amsterdam, visiting Ajax with Ross Smith and even taking part in a darts challenge with the footballers. “Brian Brobbey was brilliant at darts,” he laughed. “When he finishes football, he’ll probably come over and smash us all up!”

Still, the focus remains firmly on the oche. With his troublesome hand injury continuing to improve and confidence flowing once again, Price cut the figure of a man relishing both the challenge and the moment. “I feel for Raymond, but I was up there to do a job,” he said. “I think I played pretty decent, got the job done, and now I look forward to tomorrow.”

On this evidence, Gerwyn Price is doing more than just getting the job done – he’s playing at a level, and with a smile, that could yet make 2025 another golden year.