The World Grand Prix in Leicester has brought drama, with James Wade criticising an unnamed player, Gerwyn Price voicing his dislike for the tournament format, and Joe Cullen revealing he underwent gallbladder surgery.
Wade takes aim at unnamed player
James Wade was in a testy mood after his first-round comeback victory against Joe Cullen at the Mattioli Arena. Despite keeping alive his chances of becoming a three-time champion of the tournament, the 43-year-old used his post-match press conference to criticise an unnamed player who he believes has been "inflated and blown up by Sky and the PDC".
Discussing the difficulty of his victory, Wade said: "Years ago, I probably thought that might be quite a big statement and quite a bold thing, but I just think there are so many great players now. It’s bloody hard. It genuinely is really, really hard. You get average players who have their half-decent game. I watched it earlier on. I’m not going to say names, actually, because that makes me sound like a right t**."
He added: "There was someone earlier on who beat someone who’s experienced, but they have been inflated and blown up by Sky and the PDC. Someone else played their all-right game and beat them. It’s a hard, hard format. It’s a hard, hard tournament, and very few of us have been lucky enough to win it."
Price slams World Grand Prix format
Gerwyn Price defeated Sebastian Bialecki 2-0 in round one, but like Wade, used his post-victory interview to discuss a different topic. The 41-year-old slammed the double-in, double-out format of the event, which requires players to hit a double to begin a leg and to finish it.
Price said: "I hate this event; I hate the set format, and I hate the double-in, but then I seem to play well. I just seem to probably put a bit more effort into leading up to it, which I have now this year. I probably started practicing a month before with the double in and double out. I just seem to probably concentrate and zone in a little more on this event because I don't like it. I seem to do pretty well."
Cullen reveals surgery
Joe Cullen revealed he underwent gallbladder surgery before the World Grand Prix. The 37-year-old was knocked out in the opening round by Wade and opened up about the health struggles he has endured this year.
Speaking before his match against the 11-time PDC major winner, the former Masters champion said: "I think the thing with me this year is I am not sure how I will play from game to game, which is frustrating as a darts player. That has been one frustration I have had to live with this year.
"I have been working hard and trying to get myself ready for the tournaments. I planned to get my gallbladder out. Never had an operation. So I wasn’t thrilled about going. It was just one of those things. It’s still a little bit sore in places. But I have had a throw and a practice and I feel okay."
