Gerwyn Price has issued a statement on social media after his shock elimination from the World Darts Championship.
Price was beaten 3-0 by Wesley Plaisier in the second round of the tournament on Sunday night.
It was a hugely surprising defeat for the 2021 champion, who had spoken positively in the days leading up to the match about his chances of winning a second world title.
Price averaged 95 but only had 10 shots at double, winning four legs in total.
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Plaisier himself only averaged 94 in comparison, but broke Price's throw in the final leg of set one, before doing so again in the opening leg of set two.
He then held throw three times in the third and final set to seal the biggest victory of his career to date.
The 35-year-old, a two-time WDF World Masters champion, was always going to be one to watch heading into Ally Pally, having become the first non-tour card holder to win a Players Championship event in 2024.
Though he hasn't matched that success in 2025, the Dutchman will finish the season in the top 64 of the rankings should he win two more matches at Ally Pally.
He will take on Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski in round three, with the winner of that match facing either Andrew Gilding or Luke Woodhouse.
As for Price, the Welshman's ranking on the two-year Order of Merit will not take a significant hit as he only reached the third round of the tournament in 2024.
But it is the first time he has been whitewashed on the Alexandra Palace stage in 10 years since he lost 3-0 in round one to Gilding.
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Price took to Instagram after the match to react to his surprise defeat - and started by congratulating opponent Plaisier on an incredible victory.
He wrote: "Absolutely gutted there had so much support which was amazing.
"Wesley was great at the right moments but I was way off it and it showed, good luck to him and everyone else left on the tournament see you in 2026.
"Merry Christmas and a happy new year."
Plaisier - who works as a forklift truck driver when he's not playing darts - said in his post-match press conference: "I'm over the moon - that's the only thing I can say.
"I couldn't imagine to beat him. I was hoping I could give him a good match, take one or two sets.
"I still can't believe it. When I go home, I'm going to enjoy this.
"To be honest, I was a little bit prepared for that [the boos in the last set], because he's a big name and I think the crowd wants the big players to get through to the end stages of the worlds.
"The booing was massive at the end. I was happy to keep my head cool and throw the last dart in the double."
Topics: Darts, World Darts Championship
Ryan Smart