"They all play the player, I don't" - Gerwyn Price relishing chance to take down Luke Littler at World Grand Prix

Gerwyn Price issued a typically defiant warning to the rest of the field – and to Luke Littler in particular – after storming into the World Grand Prix quarter-finals with a commanding 3–0 win over Josh Rock in Leicester.

The Welshman, who dropped just one leg in a ruthless display, declared that he “doesn’t play the player” and insisted that if he performs anywhere near his best, “nine times out of ten” he wins.

“I think the key ingredient is just that I don’t care who I play,” Price told Dartsnews.com and other after the win. “I play the board. I know if I play my A-game, nine times out of ten I win. I think all the other players are scared of him before they even get up there – like Phil Taylor years ago. But if I turn up tomorrow, I win. If I don’t turn up, it’ll be a tough game and I’ll probably lose. But if I turn up, I win.”

The Iceman’s confidence is hard to argue with. He was in total control against Rock, taking eight consecutive legs and averaging 92.46 as he eased through to the last eight.

Price surprised everyone by ditching his trademark tops start and instead opening legs on double 13 – an unorthodox approach that worked to perfection.

“Tonight when I was practising, I moved a little bit left of the oche and thought, right, I’ll start on double 14,” he explained. “Then I thought, why move? I’ll just stay on the right and use double 13 or 14. As long as I get off, I give myself the best chance. I was banging in double 13 first dart every time in practice. On stage, I missed a few early ones and thought, ‘what am I doing?’ But it worked out and I’m glad I changed.”

After a brief scare when Rock levelled the opening set with a 106 finish, Price immediately reasserted himself and never looked back. The Welshman tightened the screw as the match went on, punishing every missed start and checkout from the Northern Irishman, who never found his scoring rhythm.

“Regardless of how well I played, Josh just wasn’t in it today,” Price said. “He struggled a bit, couldn’t get off, didn’t score like he can. I was happy enough with my game, but he was nowhere near. I felt for him, but on the other hand, I was happy too because I want to win. It was one of those games where I didn’t feel I played brilliantly, but I thought I played better than the stats showed – Josh was way off it.”

The result also served as a measure of revenge after Rock beat Price in a thrilling World Matchplay encounter earlier this year. This time, however, Price made sure the momentum never shifted. “I didn’t really think about that Matchplay game, but I knew in that match I couldn’t score or take my chances,” Price said. “Josh had some really good, timely shots back then. Tonight, he could have done the same, but he missed and it went my way. That’s darts. The luck was on his side then; it was on mine tonight.”

“Josh has been brilliant over the last 18 months, but the last six weeks he’s dropped off a bit,” Price added. “I knew if I started well and put him under pressure early, maybe he wouldn’t hit the same heights. He’ll get back to where he should be – he’s a fantastic player – but recently he just hasn’t been quite at it.”

For Price, though, this Grand Prix run is about rediscovering his major-winning pedigree. Despite climbing back to world number one in the ProTour rankings this season, he’s yet to lift a televised ranking title in 2025. “I’m playing well this year,” he reflected. “On the floor I’ve been better – I’ve turned up more, I’m ProTour number one, number one for the Players Championship Finals, top five on the European Tour. But when it comes to majors, I need to really stamp my authority again and get back to where I should be.”

“Obviously I want to win tournaments. The more you win, the more ranking points you get. I need to get one soon, but if I don’t, as long as I’m consistent – making quarters, semis, finals, staying in the top eight – that’s what matters. I want to win the World Championship because it eases the pressure for two years. Apart from that, I don’t care as much.”

Standing between Price and a semi-final spot is 18-year-old Luke Littler, who has already beaten him twice in televised events this year. But Price has made it clear he isn’t one of those intimidated by the sport’s teenage sensation. “A hundred percent, they all play the player,” Price said. “I don’t play the player.”

The pair have produced fireworks in previous clashes, and Price expects more of the same – though he couldn’t resist a cheeky jab at his young rival’s patchy second-round display. “Luke was fantastic in his first game, but he wasn’t so good today – hopefully he plays just as bad tomorrow!” he grinned. “We’re both playing well. He’s been brilliant this year, and you can’t take that away from him. But I’m here to win this tournament. I believe I can, and I’m not scared of anybody.”

Price’s parting words summed up his mindset perfectly: focused, fearless, and ready for another tilt at major glory. “Every day’s different, every game’s different. As long as I start well and give myself the opportunity, I’ll be fine,” he said. “If I turn up, I win.”