Gerwyn Price insists nobody will beat him at the World Darts Championship, expecting to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy for a second time in January.
The Iceman got his campaign off to a perfect start on Tuesday night, hammering Czech qualifier Adam Gawlas 3-0 in short order.
The Welshman averaged 96.44 to book his spot in the second round against Dutchman Wesley Plaisier, in a match he will be heavy favourite for again.
The 40-year-old feels like he’s the favourite for every match he plays, supremely confident in winning the World Championship for a second time after his 2021 triumph.
‘I am winning, honest, I’m not losing. Nobody’s beating me this year,’ Price said after his whitewash win over Gawlas.
Price came into the event seen as a contender for the title, behind the two favourites, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, but certainly a live threat.
‘To be honest I don’t mind. I delete my social media before big tournaments, just get in my own little bubble,’ he said of pre-tournament expectations. ‘I believe in my own talent and my own ability. If people are saying that then fair play to them.
‘I just believe I’m going to win this tournament, I don’t care what the obstacles are in front of me. I know it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be very tough, whoever I play. But I’m definitely coming through every game.’
The world number nine’s previous World Championship triumph came in the Covid-hit 2021 event, in an empty arena and he admits that conquering a packed Alexandra Palace is still something he has to prove he can do.
‘I won in 2021 with nobody there, no crowd, no family, no nothing. It feels a little bit fake, in a way,’ he said.
‘I want to do it again and prove to myself that I can do it with a crowd, with the pressures. The added pressures of the crowd and the atmosphere. It’ll be a little bit better.’
Looking to follow Price into the second round is James Wade, who begins his tournament on Wednesday night against Ryusei Azemoto.
The Machine insists the event is not just down to whether Littler or Humphries will lift the trophy, talking up the chances of the rest of the field against the big two.
‘I think it’s clear that Luke and Luke are the two best players in the world. That’s not hard to work out and they’re both playing the best darts,’ he said.
‘But I think it’s quite rude to the other darts players to say: “Oh, it’s going to be Luke and Luke.”
‘I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s not both of them in the final.’
There is no afternoon session on Wednesday December 17, with the evening session beginning at 7pm with Matt Campbell against Adam Sevada.