Luke Littler says he feels tension between rivals amid his growing success as he bids to win his first World Darts Championships.
Littler has emerged as one of the faces of the sport with a remarkable rise, including a runner-up finish on his Ally Pally debut before winning the Premier League, World Series of Darts Finals and Grand Slam of Darts.
He also recently finished runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award behind Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, a move that will have his impact on darts’ reputation in 2024.
Is the multi-talented world jealous of 17-year-olds?
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John Part said Littler was not invincible at this year’s World Championship darts despite showing natural talent and determination to win a deciding set against Joyce.
“I don’t know,” Littler said. “Some guys do that mainly on the pro tour.”
“But I saw an interview with Scott Williams. He got sponsorship opportunities and people were asking him because of me. So it’s good to see what I’ve done, especially for the players and the sponsors they can get.”
Littler survived a huge performance on Monday night to beat Ryan Joyce 4-3 and then go one better than last year over Luke Humphries in the final to book his place in the quarter-finals.
He is now one of the favorites to become a champion and the highest seeded player in a tournament he entered with high expectations. Now he can afford to smile no matter what he hears next to him.
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Littler will face Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals after beating Joyce 4-3.
Littler added, “It’s definitely not on my face.” “Not as soon as I walk in, but every time I practice, I feel that tension and I just smile.”
Awaiting Littler in the quarter-finals is a meeting with Nathan Aspinall. He beat Ricardo Pietreczko 4-0 over 10 straight legs at an average of 94.28.
“It’s going to be tough,” Littler said. “But I won most of them. Nathan only won once against me. It’s nice to get a win against Nathan, but it’s the last eight of the World Championship and anyone can win on that day.”
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Aspinall said he had shown ‘no respect’ and had to continue to prove himself.
Littler admitted he was unlikely to speak to Aspinall during the build-up, stressing the importance of putting their friendship aside.
“Probably not. We’ll just keep to ourselves,” he said. “Obviously he’ll be celebrating the New Year with his family and his two daughters, and I’ll be celebrating it with my mom and dad.
“Whether you’re playing against your best friend or someone you really hate, you have to take every game in some way. You just have to overcome what’s in front of you.”
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