There has been something of a tide turning against Luke Littler in recent months.
In just two years, the teenage sensation has gone from a relatively unknown prospect to the undisputed king of the darting world. But such is The Nuke’s relentless dominance, some fans are already starting to grow tired of watching him win.
Littler is the reigning champion of every televised major on the PDC calendar – apart from the European Championship, where he was beaten by James Wade last November – and with every trophy he lifts, the complaints, and now the boos, seem to get louder and louder.
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Sky Sports presenter Emma Paton, however, believes supporters should stop wishing away greatness and simply enjoy watching history unfold.
Speaking to Daily Star Sport, via Leasing Options, Paton said: “It’s so tough, right? Because I feel like fans are stuck between, ‘Oh, we want to see Luke Littler do these amazing, incredible things that we’ve never seen before’.
“But then also at the same time, ‘Oh, it’s boring seeing Luke Littler doing these amazing, incredible things that we’ve never seen before’.”
The 19-year-old has swept aside almost everything in front of him this season, winning every major he has entered in 2026 before producing another devastating display to retain the World Matchplay title in Blackpool.
Right now, there is a strong argument that Littler is the most dominant athlete on the planet – something The Nuke, himself, has addressed.
The only names operating in the same stratosphere are pole vault machine Mondo Duplantis and cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar. Like Littler, they aren’t simply winning – they’re rewriting the record books almost every time they compete.
Paton believes fans should embrace that level of excellence while it lasts: “So I feel like fans just need to enjoy this sort of generational talent. We’ve literally never seen this before.
“In time, this could be looked back on as him at his peak, and that could be it. I think fans just need to chill a little bit and try and enjoy it. It’s like Usain Bolt from 2008 to 2016 when he was winning every major, whether it’s the Olympics or the World Championships.
“I know darts is different because there are so many tournaments, and maybe that’s the thing, really. But I think people just need to sit back and try and enjoy someone who is just a one-in-a-million talent, really, and chill out.”
Littler, himself, addressed those comparisons when he was asked whether he believes he is currently the most dominant sportsperson in the world.: “Obviously at the minute it’s hard to say. With Sinner winning Wimbledon.
“But yes, the way I’m winning games and the way I’m producing and picking up trophies, it’s probably the best out there. Obviously Spain won the World Cup and everyone is talking about Lamine Yamal.
“I mean he didn’t really do much, did he? Scored maybe one goal. Assisted, too. Is he the best 19-year-old in the world? No, he’s not!
“As long as I’m winning, playing well and picking up trophies, then that’s all that matters.”
Littler’s next major assignment comes at the World Grand Prix, where the unique double-start format will provide another test of his dominance.
Before then, though, he’ll enjoy a well-earned break, opting to skip consecutive World Series events in New Zealand and Australia in favour of a holiday at Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort.