LUKE LITTLER has been warned that his incredible effect on darts will lead to greater competition.
Littler, 18, admitted that Luke Humphries‘ world No.1 spot is in his sights after winning the UK Open last weekend.
Luke Littler won the UK Open last weekend[/caption]
Luke the Nuke has been dominant since bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old, already bagging several big titles.
A leading Dutch darts analyst, however, believes that the sort of dominance previously enjoyed by the likes of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen is a thing of the past – because of the Littler effect.
Bull’s Darts expert Jeroen van Veen said: “Partly because of Littler, darts is no longer covered only in sports or darts-related programs, but mainstream and worldwide.
“The excesses of that are that people totally lose sight of reality.
“They read that Littler signs million-dollar contracts, and if their 12-year-old son throws a 180 once, they think he’s worth tons.”
He then went on to add: “I already see that at challenger tournaments an average of 95 is becoming the standard.
“The group coming from the bottom is so big and will become even bigger.
“We already notice that in the kind of items we sell throughout Europe: it’s about people who are starting to play darts.
“The top is not only getting younger, but also wider.
“The dominance that then Phil Taylor and later Michael van Gerwen showed for years in a row, you’re never going to see again.”
After thrashing James Wade 11-2 in Minehead over the weekend, Littler didn’t shy away from his lofty ambitions.
The reigning world champion said: “At the World Championship, Luke Humphries will be defending a hell of a lot of money, and if he doesn’t defend it, that could be my chance to shoot up to No.1.
“Obviously if I play him in any of these ranking events, I want to stop him from adding to his prize money or defending it. I think No.1 is in sight now.
“It’s another free year. I’m not defending anything. I want to add on and add on prize money to become world No.1.
“When Luke went out, everyone probably thought, ‘Littler’s going to win it now’ but I still had a job to do. I had to keep concentrating.
“I had to beat Jonny (Clayton) in the semi-finals and putting those five legs together was important. Picking up this trophy means everything.”
Despite his historic rookie season, Littler has been snubbed by the Laureus World Sports Awards 2025.
Littler, 18, has been snubbed by the Laureus World Sports Awards[/caption]
