Price on reception from crowd during World Matchplay: "Maybe a bit of respect now and then wouldn’t hurt"

Gerwyn Price heads into a Quarter-Final showdown this evening with Dimitri van den Bergh at the World Matchplay after producing some excellent displays en route in Blackpool.

But one main talking point has been the poor crowd reception that at times Price has received which has been going on since his first Grand Slam triumph in 2018 with his infamous match with Gary Anderson.

Now crowds have returned, the booing has returned of the World Number One who has called for the fans to give him the 'respect' he believes he warrants as the top player in the sport.

“They were pretty poor to start with but I sort of shut them up,” Price said following his second round win over Clayton.

“It obviously annoys me but it makes me player a little bit better. I’m not saying I want it week in, week out, but it makes me concentrate.

“It’s tough enough playing the best players in the world but to have the crowd on your back is extra pressure but I seem to be dealing with it alright.

“Some of the crowd today probably hadn’t even been to the darts they just join in anyway.

“It’s not too bad but but maybe a bit of respect now and then wouldn’t hurt."

“I think they do respect what I’ve done, it’s a bit more pantomime and they’re just doing it for a little bit of fun, but sometimes it’s not fun.”