World Darts Championship: Luke Littler on new pressure and ‘tougher game’ after win at Alexandra Palace | Darts news
Luke Littler has experienced just about everything there is in darts over the past year, both on and off the stage, although his quest for a World Championship crown began with new emotional challenges in the Alexandra Palace.
The teenage sensation headlined Saturday evening’s line-up, 12 months after his remarkable run to the final on debut, with Littler – the pre-tournament favorite – opening his campaign with success over Ryan Meikle of Suffolk.
A 3-1 result doesn’t tell the full story of Littler’s maiden opener, where he looked briefly in danger from a shocking early start before dominating the closing stages to set up a third-round meeting with the Championship winner from Europe Ritchie Edhouse or Ian White. .
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Luke Littler’s 100 outing saw him take the first set against Ryan Meikle at the World Darts Championship.
Littler came within millimeters of firing the second nine-dart finish of the tournament during a ridiculous fourth and final set, won in just 32 darts and with an impressive record average of 140.91, while the 17-year-old be reduced to tears and cut. short his interview on stage after his victory.
“It was probably the hardest game I’ve ever played, but you have to get over the line,” Littler said in his press conference. “I don’t know where I got the last set from, but I just had to fight until the end.
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Luke Littler hit a perfect eight darts before missing the double 12 for the nine darts by a matter of millimetres!
“When I got on that stage I was very nervous, but I managed to find my game from somewhere. I know I’m the favorite, but you have to focus on winning the first game, and that’s what I’ve done tonight
“Like I said, it’s the worst game I’ve ever played in. I’ve never felt anything like it tonight.”
Littler went to see his family immediately after leaving the stage
Littler faced a long wait to return to the Alexandra Palace stage, his first match coming on day seven and in the 12th session of this year’s tournament, giving more time to the fourth head series to reflect on the expectations of winning the Sid Waddell Trophy.
“It’s probably the first and biggest time (the pressure) has hit me,” Littler he told Sky Sports. “The Premier League, the first night against Luke Humphries, I was nervous then, but all year, every European tour, every major I’ve played, I’ve been doing well.
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Luke Littler reflects on his early struggles and record in his debut World Darts Championship
“Coming here, before that, that’s fine. As soon as George Noble (the umpire) said ‘game on’, I said I can’t bowl them.”
He added: “(The pressure) has been a lot to deal with, but like I said, leading was good. As soon as George says ‘game on’, I couldn’t do it. First set, I shouldn’t have done. i won it, but i did, after that second break, you just have to crawl.
Littler has already won the Premier League and the Grand Slam of Darts in 2024 and is expected to battle it out with reigning champion Luke Humphries for the World Championship, with both in the same half of the draw, although he refuses to let get carried away by the perspective.
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What a year it has been for Luke Littler, from his breakthrough to the World Championship aged 17 to winning the Premier League title. Let’s take a look at his amazing 2024
“I’m never going to say I’m going to win the World Championship,” Littler explained. “I know almost every player has the ability to do that.
“I’m never going to come here, after a game especially like this, and say I’m just going to beat everybody. You just have to focus on the next game.
Part: “New experiences” for the “god of darts” Littler
Littler has quickly become a household name in 2024, finishing second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and also the UK’s most Googled sportsperson, not to mention 10 PDC titles in his first year complete as a professional.
“I don’t think anyone can understand the pressure on him,” former world champion John Part said he told Sky Sports. “There may be some people who have played the game who understand it, but certainly no one has ever had to deal with it at their age.
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Luke Littler’s 100 outing saw him take the first set against Ryan Meikle at the World Darts Championship.
“I think the whole reality of what he’s done for the game starting at the World Championships last year finally hit him after he won. It’s great that it wasn’t after a loss because it didn’t even seem right. after all he has done for the game.
“He’s the god of darts in the eyes of a lot of people who were waiting. That’s very high for him. I just think this was the first experience of what his real professional career is at the World Championships.”
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