Gerwyn Price blames ‘pathetic’ conditions after pulling out of Wigan event midway through the match

Former world champion Gerwyn Price withdrew midway through his third-round match at the Players Championship in Wigan in what he described as “absolutely deplorable conditions”.

Price was trailing 4-2 a leg against Brendan Dolan in a best-of-11 encounter when he lost the match at Robin Park Tennis Center and Dolan received a bye in the next round.

The Welshman later wrote on Instagram Stories: “Absolutely pathetic conditions, travel all the way to Wigan to play in a professional game and have to play in less than amateur conditions.

“I’ve never (a) ever given up a game, well, I’m in tomorrow too. Disappointed because my game was very good today and I rely a lot on these events.”

Price did not explain why he felt the playing conditions were so poor. The second event of the Players Championship takes place on Tuesday at the same venue.

A spokesman for tournament organizer Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) told the PA news agency: “Gerwyn decided not to finish his match against Brendan Dolan and left the venue immediately.

“We understand he felt the place was cold.”

Meanwhile, teenage sensation Luke Littler hit a nine-dart finish to beat Michele Turetta in Wigan.

Littler, 17, became a household name during a shock run to the World Championship final earlier in the year.

‘The Nuke’ then beat Michael van Gerwen to win the Bahrain Masters in January, becoming the youngest player to hit a televised nine-darter in his quarter-final victory over Nathan Aspinall.

Littler’s strong form continued as he was beaten by home favorite Van Gerwen in the Dutch Masters final the following week.

He entered the fourth round of the first Players Championship event of the year after completing a 6-1 victory over Turetta in typical Littler style, completing a nine-dart finish along the way and advanced to the semi-finals by stroke. out goes James Hurrell 6-3.

Luke Humphries, who defeated Littler to claim his first World Championship crown, suffered a shock defeat as the second seed went down 6-0 to Ian White in the second round.