Gerwyn Price Contemplates Darts Hiatus Following Final Defeat
Welsh darts star Gerwyn Price has openly expressed his frustration after suffering another tournament final loss, admitting he may require a temporary step back from the professional circuit. The 41-year-old, known as The Iceman, was defeated 8-3 by Dutch player Wessel Nijman in the European Darts Trophy final in Germany, a result that has taken a significant mental toll.
Price Voices Disappointment and Mental Strain
Taking to Instagram after the match, Price wrote: "Great weekend for me, another final but very frustrating in the end. Onto Dublin this week. Need a break from this, I think it's so tough mentally. But I'll push on, thanks for the support." These comments strongly suggest the former world champion is considering a hiatus from competitive darts as he grapples with the psychological demands of the sport.
Thriving Business Ventures Offer Alternative Path
Price has been diligently expanding his business portfolio outside of darts in recent years, providing him with substantial alternative income streams. His most notable venture is Chippy 501, a chip shop he purchased in 2024 that has flourished in his hometown of Markham. The eatery was transformed from a former pharmacy and serves as a nod to his professional darts career.
In December 2024, Price acknowledged that managing the chip shop had previously diverted his attention from darts, stating: "That's probably why I was losing and playing rubbish - my mind was elsewhere. I'm glad now it's up and running rather than me having to worry about it too much. It wasn't just about opening it. I've got cameras in the shop and I was always checking them on my phone. Yeah, it can affect the oche. I'm eating fish and chips all the time. I set up a 10 per cent discount for myself."
Retirement Could Be Funded by Chip Shop Earnings
Remarkably, Price has admitted that his earnings from the chip shop alone could potentially finance his retirement. Speaking in 2023, he revealed: "Hopefully it'll come back (his form). I'll keep trying as long as I can you know, but yeah, now the chippy is doing well you never know, retirement could be sooner rather than later." This statement underscores the financial security his business ventures have provided.
Farm Acquisition Adds to Diverse Portfolio
Earlier this year, Price further diversified his interests by acquiring a smallholding farm in Treharris. He suggested that renovations to the Welsh farm might be filmed for his followers, potentially as a documentary series or YouTube content. On the Tops and Tales podcast, he explained: "I've just bought a farm. That's in Treharris. There might be a series on it. I think a documentary, or maybe a TV channel coming in and filming. Not like Clarkson's Farm or something. Just for the renovation side of it. It's going to be out there soon. But if not, then I'll probably end up doing something like this and chucking it on YouTube from start to finish. It's going to take 12–18 months to get everything sorted before we actually move on."
He added: "I just can't wait for it to be complete. It's something that I have always wanted - just a bit of a smallholding. Something out of the way a little bit so I can have a bit of privacy. When I retire, I'll probably run it as a decent farm. But I'm probably going to lease most of the land out and have some chickens and some of the little animals - just for now."
Ambitions for More Trophies Remain Strong
Despite contemplating a break and having lucrative business alternatives, Price's competitive fire continues to burn. In a chat with talkSPORT last year, he emphasized his desire for more silverware: "I'm sticking around for the next 10 years. I mean, one World Championship, it's not good enough." This indicates that while he may take temporary time away to recharge mentally, a permanent retirement from darts is not imminent.
Price has plenty to focus on should he choose to step back temporarily, from managing Chippy 501 to developing his farm. However, his enduring ambition to lift more trophies, including the coveted Sid Waddell trophy again, suggests that darts fans have not seen the last of The Iceman on the professional stage.
