Sport
Gerwyn Price against fake crowd noise
Gerwyn Price has bought a racing greyhound during lockdown and now wants to be fast out of the traps in the Premier League.
The world number 3 returns to action in Milton Keynes on Tuesday night against Nathan Aspinall, having snapped up and named a four-legged star Grandslam Champ.
Price, 35, certainly aims to put some bite into his recent form after a sluggish start to the league and a surprising early exit from the Matchplay last month.
He revealed: “I bought the dog about a month ago. It’s still out in Ireland. I don’t expect miracles with the dog but he’s in the Derby, he’s got a chance. He needs to break really quick and make them try and catch him.”
“He came from behind last time which I didn’t expect. I don’t think he’ll win the race but I hope he can finish in the top three. I love the greyhounds, it’s just a pity I can’t get to Dublin to watch with the current restrictions. But I’ll be watching over the live stream.”
“I’ve got a few other dogs. I enjoy watching them running. I don’t mind if they don’t win, the main thing is that they enjoy it and get looked after. If he gets to the final I think I’ll be more happy than when I won the Grand Slam. He might do a few backflips if he wins!”
Welshman Gerwyn Price has been the most controversial and potent rising star on the oche over the past two years. But he has clearly been affected by the lockdown break and lack of fans at events. Price even feels that 2020 could be a “write-off” and struggled with the fake crowd noise at the Matchplay.
He added: “I don’t think it was the fact that there were no fans. It was the fact that there were fans in the background that weren’t there and the sound.”
“I spoke to other players who weren’t keen on it either. To me I felt like I was playing at the beach in Blackpool. It was all muffled in the background. I need the adrenalin and the crowd behind me.”
“But in the Pro Tours I don’t have or need that and I still play well. To have the sound in it was a bit off putting I think. I think the PDC could have just played the false crowd through the TV. I don’t understand why they needed it for the players.”
“I think in any tournament the first round is always the toughest one. Once you get through you sort of come into your game a bit. I just wasn’t confident going into the Matchplay having not played for so long. Sometimes the crowd can help you and pull you through games.!
“I think 2020 is a write-off as of now. It’s not the be-all and end-all if I don’t get to the play-offs in the Premier League.
“I can just use the Premier League now as good practice for the big majors towards the end of the year. But I haven’t written the league off yet, hopefully I can stay in it until the end, get to the final and win it.”
Gerwyn Price added; “The first year in the Premier League I absolutely hated it and sort of found my feet the year after. I felt I was going to do a bit better this year.”
“It’s tough playing against the best players week-in, week-out and be on top of your game. If you are one per cent off then you are not going to win games. I think I’ve been lucky to draw a few games this time. I’m enjoying it and love playing in the Premier League now but hopefully I can get a couple of wins. But I’m not putting myself under too much pressure.”
However, the fiery Iceman has still got one eye on a wonderful Grand Slam hat-trick of wins later this year. He said: “I’d just be disappointed to be playing the Grand Slam in Milton Keynes. I think that’s where most of the majors are going to be played now. Hopefully things can change.”
“But maybe if I lose the Grand Slam in Milton Keynes it will still mean I’ve never lost in Wolverhampton! It’s going to be a toss of the coin who wins games, it’s going to be whoever gets out of the box quickest.”
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