World Darts Championship: Luke Littler on new pressure and ‘toughest fight’ after winning start at Alexandra Palace | Darts news

On By Littum

Luke Littler has experienced just about everything there is in darts over the past year – both on and off the stage – although his quest for a maiden World Cup crown began with new emotional challenges at Alexandra Palace.

The teenage sensation headlined Saturday night’s line-up, 12 months after his remarkable run to the final on debut, with Littler – pre-tournament favorite – opening his campaign with success over Suffolk’s Ryan Meikle.

A 3-1 result does not tell the full story of Littler’s eventful opener, in which he briefly looked in danger of a shock early exit before dominating the closing stages to set up a third-round meeting with either EC winner Ritchie Edhouse or Ian White.

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Luke Littler’s 100 box saw him take the opening set against Ryan Meikle at the World Darts Championship

Littler came millimeters from firing the second nine-dart finish of the tournament during a ridiculous fourth and final set, winning in just 32 darts and with a stunning record-breaking average of 140.91 as the 17-year-old was reduced to tears and cutting short his interview on stage after his victory.

“It was probably the hardest match I’ve ever played, but you have to get over the line,” Littler said in his press conference. “I don’t know where I got that last set from, but I just had to fight to the end.

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Luke Littler hit eight perfect darts before missing double 12 for the nine-darter by a few millimetres!

“When I got to that stage I felt really nervous but I managed to find my game from somewhere. I know I’m favourite, but you have to focus on winning your first match and that was what i did tonight.

“Like I said, this is the worst match I’ve played. I’ve never felt anything like tonight.”

Picture:
Littler visited his family immediately after leaving the scene

Littler faced a long wait to return to the Alexandra Palace stage, his opening match coming on day seven and in the 12th session of this year’s tournament, giving the fourth seed more time to reflect on the expectation that he win the Sid Waddell Trophy.

“That’s probably the first and biggest time it (pressure) has hit me,” Littler told Sky Sports. “Premier League, first night against Luke Humphries, I was nervous then, but throughout the year – all the European tournaments, all the majors I’ve played – I’ve been fine.

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Luke Littler reflects on his early struggles and record-breaking finish in his World Darts Championship opener

“Coming here, leading up to it, fine. As soon as George Noble (the referee) said ‘game on’, I was like – couldn’t throw them.”

He added: “(The pressure) has been a lot to deal with but like I said the lead was nice. As soon as George says ‘game on’ I just couldn’t do it. First set, I shouldn’t have won it, but I did then after the second break, just pull yourself over the line.

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Littler has already won the Premier League and the Grand Slam of Darts in 2024 and is expected to battle with defending champion Luke Humphries for the world title, with both in the same half of the draw, although he refuses to get carried away by the prospect.

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What a year it has been for Luke Littler, from his World Cup breakthrough at 17 to winning the Premier League title. We take a look at his amazing 2024

“I’m never going to say I’m going to win the world championship,” Littler explained. “I know almost every player feels like doing that.

“I never want to come here, after a game, especially like that, and say I’m just going to beat everybody. You just have to focus on the next game.

Share: ‘New experiences’ for ‘dart god’ Littler

Littler has quickly become a household name in 2024, finishing runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and also the most searched sportsman on Google in the UK, not forgetting the 10 PDC titles in his first full year as a professional.

“I don’t think anyone can understand how much pressure he has on him,” former world champion John Part told Sky Sports. “There might be a few people who played the game who might understand it, but there’s certainly nobody who’s ever had to deal with it at his age.

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Luke Littler’s 100 box saw him take the opening set against Ryan Meikle at the World Darts Championship

“I think the whole reality of what he’s done for the game, starting at last year’s World Cup, finally hit him after the win. It’s great that it wasn’t after a loss, because it just wouldn’t even seems fair after all he has done for the game.

“He’s the darts god in a lot of people’s eyes that they’ve been waiting for. It’s so much to live up to for him. I think it was just the first taste of what his real professional career is at the World Championships.”

Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live until January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more top sports with NU.