Gerwyn Price hit out at spectators who booed Luke Littler during the World Matchplay final at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, insisting there is "something wrong" with anyone who jeers the teenage star.
Littler produced a masterclass performance to defeat Price 18-9, securing the major title for the second consecutive year. The 19-year-old posted an average of 111.53, landing twelve 180s and hitting six ton-plus finishes, including a 167, a 127 and a 148.
Price Condemns Jeering Crowd
Having heard sporadic booing directed at Littler, Price used his post-match interview to criticise those targeting the world number one. After some light-hearted banter with the crowd, saying they "have been great for me," he added jokingly: "I needed a little bit more out of them today."
He then said: "Luke is a one in a million. I threw everything at him. I think I played pretty decent out there today, I missed a few opportunities. But the bull checkouts he was taking out, the 167 at the beginning. As early as it was in the game that was a big turning point between 4-1 and 3-2."
"He grew in confidence. I hung in there, I didn't play brilliantly, I played some decent darts today. But if anyone is going to boo this kid there's something wrong with them because he is fantastic for this sport."
Littler's Dominant Performance
Price himself produced a solid performance, averaging close to 105, but his 39.13 per cent checkout rate proved costly, while Littler maintained an impressive 60 per cent success rate. Following the contest, Littler acknowledged he is performing at his peak.
He said: "It has been a crazy week—it has been one of the best weeks of my life. The darts I have played—it has not been easy. It has been tough. The stats may look like it is easy but when you are on this stage, it is hot, it is not easy. I have played some of the best darts of my life."
