LITTLER: I’M THINKING BIG IN THE PREM
Germany calling for teen star
LUKE LITTLER is ready to ‘kick on’ in the Premier League after taking the darts world by storm.
The teenage sensation has enjoyed a whirlwind few weeks since his remarkable, headlinegrabbing run to the World Championship final last month.
Littler followed up his Alexandra Palace heroics by winning the Bahrain Masters and reaching the final of the Dutch Masters.
The Warrington-based youngster now wants to make his mark in the Premier League, having reached the semi-finals on his debut in the elite tournament in Cardiff last week.
“I am just happy with how I have been playing,” said Littler, who turned 17 last month.
“The Worlds was a big step up but I have proved I can play with the best and that is why I have got my shot in the Premier League.
“It was good to win on my debut (in Bahrain) and obviously be the youngest person to hit a nine-darter as well.
“But overall it was just match practice for the Premier League, as was Holland. Now we are kicking on with the Premier League. I know I have got the ability to beat the best.”
Littler won a repeat of his World Championship final against Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals, but was edged out in a thriller by Michael Smith, who went on to win the event.
He picked up two points for reaching the semis and his next opportunity comes in Berlin on the second night of the competition tomorrow, where he faces Rob Cross in the quarter-finals.
Littler, nicknamed ‘The Nuke’, was a relative unknown in December but he has so far taken his sudden fame in his stride. His performances at such a young age have earned him recognition beyond darts.
He said: “It’s just been crazy but I have just been living how I have been – chilling when I have time off but when I’m at my darts events, being fully focused.
“That’s what I’ve always done. I’ve always been myself and keep myself to myself.”
Littler admits he has mixed feelings about all the attention, particularly the media interest in his life on and off the oche.
Asked if he enjoys being interviewed so often, he said: “I have and I haven’t. It does get very boring!”
■■Target Darts is launching a new range of Luke Littler products on February 21. They are available now to pre-order at: https://www.targetdarts.co.uk/luke-littlerrange