Gerwyn Price has revealed he is considering adopting a different on-stage style ahead of his BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts title defence.
Price will return to Wolverhampton's Aldersley Leisure Village, the scene of his famous maiden televised title win 12 months ago, on Saturday for his opening game against reigning Lakeside Women's Champion Mikuru Suzuki - FIND GRAND SLAM TICKETS HERE
The Welsh number one, who will also face Dimitri Van den Bergh and Robert Thornton in Group C, believes a move away from his trademark high-intensity approach on stage could be beneficial.
"I'm going to try to alter my game a bit, not for anybody else but for myself to make me play better," Price told The Darts Show Podcast.
Listen to "Grand Slam preview with Gerwyn Price, Laura Turner & Danny Willett on darts" on Spreaker.
"I've learnt to try not to react to the crowd but it can be hard work at times when you're trying to play within yourself.
"I'm doing really well on the floor events where you can't really show emotion and be loud, except maybe at the end of games, so I've been thinking that if I play like that I will probably be a better player on stage.
"I've only been in the game for a short period of time and I'm still trying to find a way to be the best player I can be."
Since winning the Eric Bristow Trophy last November, Price has won two Players Championships and a European Tour event, while also coming fifth in his second Premier League campaign and finishing runner-up at October's European Championship.
Despite enjoying his best year on the board, the former professional rugby player concedes that he has struggled being the target of boos from the crowd following last year's controversial Grand Slam victory over Gary Anderson.
"I didn't think it would last the full 12 months - I thought It would be just a pantomime villain thing, a little bit of fun," Price admitted.
"I don't mind the boos during the game because you're in a scoring in a rhythm but when you're throwing for doubles at key stages that's when I think you need a little bit of respect.
"That's the problem, it's hard to keep calm at key stages like that and it's difficult to not let the crowd know when you've hit a shot.
"I just want to go up there, enjoy myself and have a fair crack, and if someone plays better than me then fair play to them."
Despite only playing on the PDC tour since 2014, Price sits fifth on the PDC Order of Merit but the ambitious 34-year-old has his sights firmly set on the number one spot.
Having been involved in a number of tight battles with Michael van Gerwen, Price believes it is a matter of time until he breaks his 19-match winless run against the reigning World Champion.
"Michael [van Gerwen] isn't the player he once was and he's there to be knocked off I think," said Price, who is an 11/1 shot with sponsor BoyleSports to retain his title.
"I now believe I can be world number one, whereas two years ago I would never have believed I could.
"I've reached the quarters, semis and finals of most events now so I think on merit I deserve to be considered a contender."
"I'm coming into the Grand Slam this year playing well and full of confidence, whereas last year I wasn't. Defending the title doesn't really bother me.
"I'm in a good place, probably not mentally, but I'm doing alright."