"Probably the best he’s played for a long time, and that happens against me every single time": Gerwyn Price laments players bringing A-game against him

Gerwyn Price has made an excellent start to the European Darts Trophy. The former world champion immediately showed he is in superb form and posted an average of no less than 106.7. With that, the Welshman delivered a strong performance and sent a clear message to the rest of the field.

Price himself was very satisfied with his game after his 6–2 win over Joe Cullen in the second round of the European Darts Trophy, but he mainly stressed that the match also required a high level from his opponent.

“I felt like I was playing well. The crowd was right behind me and I felt like Joe was playing well as well. Probably the best he’s played for a long time, and that happens against me every single time, so I was expecting it. But yeah, I was on my game.”

According to Price, that is no surprise. The Welshman often notices that opponents raise their game when they face him. “That happens against me every single time, so I was expecting it.”

The match featured long phases where both players pushed each other to a high standard. Especially early on, the pace was high and the trebles landed regularly. However, Price stayed consistent in scoring and was able to gradually take control of the match.

Toward the end of the contest, the Welshman felt his level remained strong. “It was another good performance and, like you said, a 106 average.”

Still, Price believes it is precisely those kinds of contests that help maintain such a high standard on stage.

Price is known as a player who doesn’t shy away from emotion on stage and often provokes strong reactions from both crowd and opponents. Because of that, he feels many players give that little bit extra when they face him. “Yeah, I mean, I usually bring the best out of everyone! It’s like everybody plays their best game against me, but I’m ready for them.”

Price doesn’t see that as a problem, though. On the contrary, it motivates him to remain focused on his own performance. “No, I don’t worry about any other player. I’m fully focused and concentrated on my own game.”

His 106.7 average underlines that this approach works. It’s a level that very few players can maintain consistently and it shows that Price is currently in excellent form.

With such a start, confidence for the rest of the tournament naturally grows. Afterwards, Price hinted that he has big ambitions in Göttingen. “If I can build on that and get better, I think this tournament’s mine.”

It’s a statement that perfectly sums up the Welshman’s self-belief. Price has already won multiple major titles in his career and knows what it takes to win a multi-day tournament.

Next up is an opponent who commands a lot of respect on tour: Danny Noppert. The Dutchman is known for his steady game, strong checkouts and his ability to stay cool under pressure.

On paper, Price seems slightly favoured. Of the twenty previous meetings between the two, the Welshman won fourteen. Still, Price knows all too well that statistics don’t always tell the full story in darts.“Yeah, Danny’s a great player, a fantastic player. We’ve had some good battles and he’s only getting better and better.”

Price also believes Noppert has made significant strides in recent years. “He’s shown over the last 12 to 18 months that he’s improving massively.”

That’s why Price knows he will need to hit a high level again if he wants to progress. “I’ll need to be on my A game and probably play even better than I did today, so it’s going to be a tough one.”