Legendary John Part has said teenager Luke Littler must live under an “absurd” level of pressure as he bids to win his first World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Littler came within millimeters of a nine-dart finish when he beat Ryan Meikle in record-breaking fashion on Saturday night.
The 17-year-old returned to the big stage 12 months after his incredible debut and made it to the final, showing everyone why he is the favorite to win this year.
Littler gasped at the perfection of his darts when he missed double 12. However, he threw an incredible average of 140.91 in the final set to win 3-1..
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The teenager won the final set against Meikle in just 32 darts and advanced to the third round.
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Littler recalled his 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle in the opening match of the World Championship Darts.
This is the highest average for a single set at the World Championships as the Warrington ace continues to break barriers.
The win was very emotional for Littler, who cut his on-stage interview short after shedding tears.
“I don’t think anyone can understand how much pressure is on him,” Part said. sky sports. “There may be a few people who have played the game who can understand it, but certainly no one has ever had to deal with it at that age.
“I think just the sheer amount of demand on his time and the possibility of him not being able to perform is a huge burden on him. I’m sure there’s a lot of relief for him.
“I’m sure he’s disappointed about missing the Nine Darters but I don’t think it had anything to do with the last launch, I think he’s fit enough.
“There’s a lot of emotion built up and you have to control it while you’re playing. That’s why he’s the winner. If he needs some alone time afterwards, that’s okay.”
Littler arrived at the tournament as one of the biggest names in the sport and ‘The Nuke’ booked his return to Ally Pally after Christmas against either Ritchie Edhouse or Ian White in round three.
“He’s probably had a great time going to all these new places, going to tournaments he’s never played in before, winning a lot of games, playing a lot of matches,” Part continued. “If you like darts, it’s fun to play a lot of matches.
“He’s having a great time, but I think the reality of everything he achieved starting last year at the World Championships came crashing down on him after he finally won.
“I’m glad it wasn’t after the loss because it wouldn’t seem fair after everything he’s done for the game.
“Looking at Luke, it occurred to me that none of his playing experience from last year was going to help him. I think it’s because he’s a completely different player now. He has different expectations of himself and his opponents. What are you going to do with that person?
“Last year there was a kind of awkwardness, with a then 16-year-old playing, and the players didn’t know what to do with it. ‘Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if I lost?’ Such an old-fashioned idea, right? Not this year.
“He is the god of darts that so many have been waiting for. It’s incredible for him. I think this is his first experience showing what a true professional career will be like at the World Championships.
“The level of expectation, the ridiculous level of pressure he has to live with, it’s not going to go away, it’s going to be every time he plays, but I’m sure he’ll get conditioned.”
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Luke Humphries is aiming to defend his World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Watch all the action. 2025 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace sky sports darts You’ll have the ultimate fun here as Luke Humphries defends his title as he challenges ‘Cool Hand’ for the Sid Waddell Trophy alongside Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match live and exclusively until January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and other top sports with NOW.
