For Luke Littler, making history has become second nature. But that doesn’t mean he’s lost the motivation to keep making more, and now his sights are set on winning back-to-back World Darts Championships.
The teenage sensation revolutionized the sport, going from world championship debut to world champion and world number one with eight major titles in just two years.
Littler officially became the youngest ever PDC World No. 1 at 18 years and 299 days old.
After winning his first world title at Alexandra Palace in January, Littler’s 2025 season continues his remarkable trajectory.
Five more major titles were secured – World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, UK Open, Grand Slam and Players Championship Finals – while Littler also won the Australian Darts Masters, New Zealand Darts Masters, Belgian Darts Open, Flanders Darts Trophy and Players Championship 32.
Now he heads to the Palace to not only become the fourth man to defend the title, but also the first to receive a £1m check for winning.
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New world number one Luke Littler has insisted it is up to other players to stop him and Luke Humphries meeting in a major final and said his target is back-to-back world championships at Alexandra Palace.
While he’s ready to put on a show once again, Littler admits the tension comes from a firm look at history rather than the prize money.
“I was nervous when I wasn’t the champion, and now that I’m the reigning champion, I’m a little nervous, but I think once I get some legs on the board I’ll be okay,” Littler said.
“I won’t say anything worse, because I know what to expect. If I start getting nervous and shaking, I know what to do. Just stay calm and drink some water backstage. Like I said, I’ll be 100% nervous.
“It’s been 10 years since someone won back-to-back titles, so you start thinking about that and then you start thinking about money.”
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Highlights of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries’ final Grand Slam of Darts clash
There have been suggestions that Littler, who has achieved so much at such a young age, should already be considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, but the world number one is yet to buy into that notion.
“No, obviously Michael (van Gerwen) and Phil (Taylor) have both won two, three and four, I’ve got to keep going,” he added.
“I have to keep winning titles, keep winning the same types of titles. We’ll see where we are.”
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match live exclusively on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel from December 11 to January 3 (Sky Channel 407 from December 10). Stream darts and other top sports with NOW.
