Gerwyn Price has outlined what he plans to achieve in darts before retiring. The Welshman shot to the top of the sport after winning the 2021 PDC World Title in emphatic fashion, defeating Gary Anderson 7-3.
The world number one will enter this year's tournament defending the prize money from his maiden title two years ago, with his celebratory cheers echoing around an empty Alexandra Palace arena, with the tournament taking place behind closed doors due to Covid-19.
“I did a little bit of media afterwards, a couple of interviews, and then I went back to my hotel room,” said Price, who was denied the traditional fanfare following his incredible achievement. “Not being able to celebrate or share my greatest achievement in darts – it was a bit of an anti-climax.
“I know what it’s like to win the World Championship, but I don’t know what it’s like to win it in front of a big crowd, with celebrations and family there, so that’s a big drive for me now." Another goal for the Welshman is to win the World title another three or four more times before he hangs up his darts.
“It has been a rollercoaster. During the last three or four years there have been lots of ups and downs,” he conceded. “I have doubted myself a few times and sometimes you want to give up, but you just keep going. It’s nice to win the World Championship once, but to become multiple World Champion – that’s my next goal, and there’s no reason I can’t win another three or four before I retire.”
The Welshman even shared the age he would like to reach before deciding to scale down his appearances on tour. “I’m going to sacrifice as much as I can for the next seven years. I want to try and get everything ready for retirement at about 45,” he added.
“I’m not going to give darts up completely. I’m just not going to do ProTours or European Tours. I will stay in the TV events as long as I can, but I’ll start doing a lot less.” Price has been drawn against the first-round winner of Luke Woodhouse against Vladyslav Omelchenko for his first match of the upcoming World Darts Championship.
Despite his world number status, the Welshman believes he’s yet to reach his full potential, and he has vowed to follow in Michael van Gerwen’s footsteps by raising the bar over the coming years.
“I have a lot more gears. Obviously, I’m playing at a decent standard, but in my head, I am still an amateur and I’m inexperienced," Price continued. “In another three or four years, I think I will reach my full potential and I’ll be a way better player and a lot more consistent.
“It takes someone to improve to drag people with them, like Michael did. Hopefully over the next few years I can take the bar up a little bit higher."
