Gerwyn Price lashed out at the World Matchplay crowd after fans jeered Luke Littler during their final in Blackpool. Price, who lost 18-9 to the 19-year-old, used his post-match interview to defend the world number one. "If anyone is going to boo this kid there’s something wrong with them because he is fantastic for this sport," Price said.
Price initially had banter with the crowd, saying they "have been great for me" before jokingly adding he "needed a little bit more out of them today." He also praised Littler's performance: "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."
Littler's Dominant Display
Littler, who won the major for the second consecutive year, averaged 111.53, hit twelve 180s and six ton-plus checkouts, including a 167, a 127 and a 148. Price averaged close to 105 but his checkout percentage of 39.13% was far below Littler's 60%.
After the match, Littler 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."
