“The reason why the kids world number 1 and world champ" - Gerwyn Price reacts to dramatic Luke Littler loss in World Masters semi-finals

Gerwyn Price responded with sportsmanship and full respect for his young opponent after a dramatic 5-4 defeat to Luke Littler in the semi-finals of the 2026 Winmau World Masters on Sunday night.

The former world champion missed a match dart to beat Littler, before eventually being edged out in a truly dramatic battle in Milton Keynes.

The semi-final at the Winmau World Masters 2026 between Price and Littler was of the very highest standard. Both players scored heavily, kept their nerves in check, and gave each other no room. In the end, it was Littler who struck in the deciding leg to book his place in the final, to the Welshman’s disappointment.

“Gutted there but what an arm wrestle it was…” Price reacted on his official Instagram account afterwards.

Still, The Iceman mainly wanted to highlight his opponent and not underplay Littler’s performance. “The reason why the kids world number 1 and world champ," he said with respect.

For Price, the semi-final felt like a real battle, with both players constantly piling on the pressure.

Despite the disappointment, Price also looked forward. With the Premier League Darts returning soon, he can quickly switch targets. "Onto the next," he adds with determination.

The former rugby pro also took his time to thank his supporters. Throughout the tournament, Price could count on plenty of backing, both in the arena and online, something that hasn't always been a certainty throughout his top-level darts career. “Thanks everyone the support was immense," he concludes his reflections.

The defeat means Price leaves the tournament without managing to end his long wait for major glory, but his display against Littler showed he still belongs to the absolute elite. With a busy darts schedule coming up, The Iceman will undoubtedly be fired up to get back to winning trophies soon.