Luke Littler enters the rock ’n’ roll bedlam of Premier League Darts on Thursday evening with a brash dismissal of Michael van Gerwen’s warning he was becoming a member of the “big boys” membership.
On the eve of his debut within the travelling circus which can export his outlandish expertise throughout seven international locations in 17 weeks, Luke the Nuke wasn’t standing for any of Clog Almighty’s thoughts video games. Not solely can the boy marvel deal with his opponents on the oche – he has overwhelmed six world champions, previous and current, in as many weeks – however 17-year-old Littler is pleased to play them at their very own recreation.
As the eight-player solid lined up on the Principality Stadium to advertise the curtain-raiser on the Utility area in Cardiff, the one issues shining extra brightly than Littler’s report card had been the pitch glow lamps. In a repeat of the PDC World Championship remaining, Littler meets Luke Humphries, his conqueror at Ally Pally, within the first section of the mini-knockout match.
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Apart from chancers flogging faux copies of his autograph on public sale web sites, and the schedule being so busy that he hasn’t had an opportunity to take his first driving lesson regardless of turning 17 a few weeks in the past, nothing appears to hassle him. Van Gerwen is aware of learn how to season the pot, and MVG – who pipped the Warrington whizkid in a pulsating Dutch Masters remaining final weekend – stated of Littler: “He’s had a fabulous last two months – but it’s only two months, yeah?
”He needs to do it for a very long time. He’s got everything to be a top 10 player in the next 20 years, but you still have to do it. He is still young.”
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(Image: Kelly Deckers/PDC)
Asked if he felt protecting of a precocious younger expertise, Van Gerwen shrugged: “Really? Of course not. Welcome to the large boys. He isn’t a youth participant any extra. Those days are gone. Of course, he’s nonetheless solely a child, however now you’ve got to battle towards one another on the stage and there can’t be any mercy in any way.
“It’s not exhausting in the intervening time as a result of he doesn’t have any scars. Whatever he does, being a runner-up is sweet, successful is sweet. Whatever he does, no matter he says, everyone loves the whole lot about him.
Premier League Darts Preview 2024
Kebab-loving Luke Littler took the World Championships by storm. Now the teenager sensation is taking his skills across the UK and Europe as he faces the large boys within the Premier League.
Venues might be packed out to see the brand new darting icon tackle the largest names within the sport – Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwin, Michael Smith, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall over the following few months.
Our particular Premier League preview charts Littler’s astronomic rise, turns the highlight on his rivals for the coveted title, contains an unique column from James Wade, interviews with legends of the sport, present Premier League gamers and PDC chairman Eddie Hearn – and it tells you the whole lot it’s good to know concerning the match.
“But during a game, if he looks at his watch and says, ‘How can I miss again?’, in five years’ time they will boo you. That’s the way darts works now. At the beginning everything goes well, but then everything gets normal. Guys like him only get born once in so many years and he’s a special talent, of course, but he still has to do it every year. He is with the big guys now.”
Hitting again, with the deft contact of a drop-shot fairly than a haymaker, Littler’s response was wonderful. “Big boys league? Surely I am one of them now! I have joined them in the Big Boys League. This is what I have signed up for – to play with the best of the best. I am looking forward to playing these boys week-in, week-out.”
(Image: PA)
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He even politely declined Humphries’ supply of senior gamers performing as his minders on the highway to defend him from exploitation. “I am grateful for what Luke has said,” he responded. “But I know what’s in line, I know I can handle it all myself.”
Humphries, who hopes to be taking part in Littler on the large stage “for the next 20 years”, stated: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Even if he beats me in our next 10 meetings in a row, I got the one that mattered the most – the World Championship trophy.”
Thursday’s video games (7pm, Sky Sports): Peter Wright v Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price v Nathan Aspinall, Michael van Gerwen v Michael Smith, Luke Humphries v Luke Littler.