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<\/p>\nMichael van Gerwen says Gerwyn Price must take some of the blame for the rough ride he gets from fans at Alexandra Palace.<\/p>\n
Price was roundly booed at last year\u2019s World Darts Championship and infamously donned a pair of ear-defenders for a set during his quarter-final defeat to Gabriel Clemens. The Ice Man then threatened to boycott the tournament.<\/p>\n
While Price didn\u2019t carry through on that threat, he claimed he was on the verge of withdrawing on the eve of his opening match, a 3-0 win against Conor Scutt, on Monday night. The 2021 champion said: \u201cAt six o'clock yesterday, I was still in the house and I probably wasn't going to play in the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Gerwyn Price admits he almost boycotted PDC Worlds just 24 hours before match <\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: Gerwyn Price wants World Darts Championship to quit Ally Pally for 'level playing field' <\/b><\/p>\n
In the end, the crowd\u2019s reaction to Price was mixed, with as many cheers as boos. It will be intriguing to see if that remains the case as the tournament progresses.<\/p>\n
Van Gerwen also cruised into the third round with a 3-0 over Keane Barry on Tuesday. Asked for his thoughts on Price\u2019s problem with the Ally Pally crowd, the Dutchman said the issue was partly of his rival\u2019s own doing.<\/p>\n
Does Gerwyn Price deserve the stick he gets at Ally Pally? Tell us in the comments section below<\/i> <\/b><\/p>\n
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\u201cWith respect to Gezzy, he can blame himself a little bit for getting the boos,\u201d said the three-time world champion. \u201cIf you keep doing this [cups his ear] to the crowd and things like this, he\u2019s going to get it [the boos] and I keep telling him that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Price has also said he would like the Worlds to move away from Ally Pally, an unthinkable prospect for many in the sport. He said: \u201cCan I win it again? Sure… when it goes to Wales, Germany or wherever.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThat's what happens with other sports \u2013 their World Cup or World Championship is played in different countries. I think it's only right that the tournament should move to different parts of the world, and then I'll have a better chance.\u201d <\/p>\n
However, Van Gerwen is happy for the tournament to remain at the historic north London venue. \u201cI think it\u2019s great here, this venue is iconic,\u201d said the Green Machine. \u201cTo go worldwide? I think the PDC is doing good enough with the World Series and things like that.\u201d<\/p>\n