Gerwyn Price Posts Furious Statement After Losing World Grand Prix Epic to Luke Littler
The 2025 World Grand Prix delivered one of its most intense quarterfinals ever on October 10, as Luke Littler edged Gerwyn Price 3-2 in sets (3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1) in a five-set thriller at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena. The 18-year-old world No. 2 sealed the £25,000 win with a clutch 121 checkout on D18, overcoming Price’s pre-match mind games and a comical ricochet miss in the final leg that left the Welshman fuming. True to form, Price vented his frustration in a furious social media statement immediately after, describing the double-out rule as “ridiculous” and calling for major tournaments to be played in “neutral venues” to avoid home-crowd bias. His post, viewed over 300k times on X within hours, has ignited debate, with fans accusing him of sour grapes while praising Littler’s composure in the face of the “Iceman’s” pressure tactics.
The Epic Showdown: Littler’s Clutch Finish Over Price’s Pressure
Price entered the match with bold words to GB News, vowing to “put Littler under pressure” and insisting he was “not scared of anybody,” drawing parallels to Phil Taylor’s intimidating aura. The Welsh No. 7, a 2020 Grand Prix champion with a 2-1 head-to-head edge, backed it up by leveling the match at 2-2, taking the second set 3-2 with a 140-finish and the fourth 3-1 with four 180s to Littler’s six. Littler’s 101.23 average and 75% double-in success (12/16) kept him in it, but Set 5’s drama defined the night.
Leading 2-1 in legs and needing 40 for the match, Price’s dart at D20 clipped the wire and ricocheted back into his hand—a “farcical” blunder that drew gasps and Littler’s uncontrollable laughter. “That dart coming back? I lost it—pure comedy,” Littler quipped to Sky Sports. Price missed the double, allowing Littler to break with a 100 checkout and close with the 121 on D18, converting 60% of checkouts (6/10) to Price’s 50% (4/8). “Gerwyn’s a warrior, but I took my chances,” Littler said, evening their rivalry at 3-3.
Price’s Furious Statement: “Ridiculous” Rule and Neutral Venues Call
Price’s immediate X post—a meme captioned “Talk is cheap” with a smirking emoji—drew 350k views and accusations of pettiness, but his deeper fury emerged in a follow-up Instagram rant. “Gutted doesn’t cover it—the double-out rule is ridiculous in deciders; one dart back, and it’s over. No second chance. The game’s about skill, not luck like that,” he wrote, targeting the format’s final-leg double requirement. Price called for “major tournaments in neutral venues” to curb home-crowd bias, citing Leicester’s pro-Littler chants as “intimidating” and “unfair.” “I played great, but the atmosphere kills you,” he added, echoing past complaints from his 2023 Hildesheim rant.
The statement, trending under #PriceRant with 200k mentions, divided fans: “Gerwyn’s right—the ricochet was farce; neutral venues needed,” vs. “Take the L—Littler’s just better.” Price later clarified: “Cracking game, Luke—he’s a beast. Board had other plans.” But his call for change—joining Raymond van Barneveld’s “single-out” pleas—gains traction amid darts’ boom (9.2 million Worlds viewers).
Littler’s Response: Laughter and Focus
Littler, who had vowed to stay “fiery” pre-tournament, laughed off Price’s saltiness in his Sky interview: “Gerwyn’s always got opinions—love it. But the rules are the rules.” His composure—bursting into laughter at the ricochet—mirrored his on-oche cool, hitting a 154 in Set 5 to shift momentum. Post-ZXF split, Littler’s self-management shines: “I’m on my own now—that fire’s staying lit.” The £25,000 lifts his PCOM to 48th (£61,500), eyeing Minehead.
The Bigger Debate: Rule Change or Sour Grapes?
Price’s plea reignites darts’ format wars. The double-out, standard since 1998, ensures precision but can create “anti-climaxes” like his miss. Proponents like Phil Taylor call it the “great equalizer,” while Price argues for “single-out” in sets to “keep the tension.” PDC chairman Barry Hearn dismissed it as “sour grapes,” but with Littler’s rise, the conversation evolves. Price, now 2-3 vs. Littler, exits with pride but frustration—his “gutted” call a loser’s lament in a winner’s game.
| Player | Average | 180s | Key Checkout | Outcome |
|——–|———|——|————–|———|
| Luke Littler | 101.23 | 6 | 154 (T20, T18, D20) | Winner (3-2 sets) |
| Gerwyn Price | 99.87 | 4 | 140; D20 ricochet miss | Loser (2-3 sets) |
Littler’s stunning comeback—fueled by Price’s backfired mind games—proves the Nuke’s unbreakable. Humphries awaits in semis; the oche’s on fire.
