Gerwyn Price was compared to tennis legend Rafael Nadal by Sports Sports commentator Wayne Mardle, after the Welshman was seen meticulously placing his water bottle. Price was taking on German star Martin Schindler at the World Matchplay when his seemingly superstitious bottle movement was noticed.
Price made his way onto the stage in Blackpool with plenty of support behind him ahead of his clash with Schindler. As usual the Welshman headed over to place his darts and drink on the stage table in preparation for the opening leg.
As he did, the Sky Sports cameras panned in on Price and the world No. 2 was seen carefully placing his water bottle very specifically on the stage table.
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Picking up on Price’s meticulous bottle ritual commentator Mardle compared the Welshman to 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal. He said: “I don’t know if you just saw that, but it is hilarious. Gerwyn Price, the way he places his water bottle.
“For those who have just watched Wimbledon it is a carbon copy of Rafael Nadal, he has to have it exactly the same way. So we are learning about Price, he is superstitious.” As a highlight was shown of Price’s placement, Mardle added: “Look at him! He just has to turn it round so it is facing a certain way.”
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The superstition clearly worked for the world No. 2, as he went on to defeat Schindler in a thrilling 10-8 victory to book a quarter-final clash with Dave Chisnall. Despite a recent tricky run of form Price is remaining optimistic, and following his victory outlined his target to come away from Winter Gardens with the title.
He said: “I think I put myself under a lot of pressure by letting him off early on.Sometimes that's what I need to get myself going and I was playing some good darts by the end of the match.
"I've not been playing very well the last couple of months, as everybody knows, but today I came out fighting. I want to win this tournament and get back to world number one, back to where I think I deserve to be, but I'll have to come through a few tough games to do that."
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