Price slams “pathetic” crowd at the Boylesports World Grand Prix

Gerwyn Price blasted the Leicester crowd as “pathetic” after reaching the Semi-Finals of the 2021 Boylesports World Grand Prix on Thursday.

Reigning champion Price swept aside Dave Chisnall in straight sets to remain on course to defend his title at the Morningside Arena, but was left furious by the reception he received from the crowd.

“There’s a lot more in the tank from me,” Price told Sky Sports. “It was a difficult game – the crowd were a bit rubbish again.

“But I won so it doesn’t matter what they do, I’ll keep winning.

“Give me an opportunity and I’ll take it.

“The crowd are absolutely pathetic but I won it.

“Sometimes the crowd are with me, sometimes they’re against me, I don’t care.

“They can boo me, do what they want but I’ll keep winning, so happy days.

Price, who declined his post-match media conference, posted on Instagram on Friday morning: ‘Happy to get the win last night against a tough opponent and a great guy. Bit gutted the way the crowd were but I dug deep and got the job done. Back on again tonight in the Semi-Final, hopefully a bit of support off the crowd.’

Chisnall defended Price in his post-match press conference, calling for the world number one to be shown more respect.

He said: “Someone shouted “come on Gezzy” and I said to him: “at least you’ve got one fan in there!”

“I know he doesn’t like it but he gives it like he does. He can take it but he gets upset about it, we can all see that.

“I disagree with it, give him respect, he’s world number one. They didn’t boo [Michael] van Gerwen when he was world number one.

“I lost to the better player tonight, my doubles were terrible.

“He’s a great lad, I’ve got nothing against him. I don’t mind it when he gives it a big roar because it spurs me on.

“I didn’t really hear that much because I was concentrating on my own game, but it must have been bad if he’s not happy.

“I probably heard it but I just didn’t take it in.

“He wasn’t special tonight and I wasn’t special, but he just knows how to win.”

Price will now face Stephen Bunting on Friday evening in a repeat of their World Championship Semi-Final.

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