November 19th 2024.
It's no secret that Luke Littler has been dominating the darts world lately. He's the top pick amongst bookies to take home the PDC World Darts Championship title, and even darts legend Phil Taylor is singing his praises. In fact, Taylor believes that Littler has the potential to match his own impressive records in the sport.
At just 17 years old, Littler's rise to fame has been nothing short of extraordinary. His latest triumph at the Grand Slam of Darts saw him defeat Martin Lukeman with ease, with an average of over 100 across the entire tournament. It was a remarkable feat, especially considering that Lukeman had initially taken a 2-0 lead in the final. Littler's win also catapulted him from a ranking of 164 to fifth in the PDC's Order of Merit, and his total prize money earnings are now close to a whopping £1 million.
With ten title wins in 2024 alone, it's no wonder that Littler is now the favourite to win the upcoming PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. But while he may be the talk of the darts world, he's still got a long way to go before he can be compared to the likes of Taylor, who is widely regarded as the greatest darts player in history.
However, after spending some time with Littler last month, Taylor is convinced that the young sensation is on the right track to reach the same level of greatness in the future. In an interview with talkSPORT, Taylor expressed his admiration for Littler's talent and work ethic, saying, "If there's anyone that can do it, it's this young lad. He's got age on his side and the ability – you never know, you never know with him."
One of the most impressive things about Littler, according to Taylor, is his nonchalant approach to the sport. Unlike many other players, Littler isn't motivated by money or fame. He simply loves the game and takes each match as it comes. Taylor revealed that during their time together, Littler was more interested in taking care of his parents than winning tournaments. It's a refreshing perspective in a world where money and fame often cloud the minds of young athletes.
But it's not just Littler's dedication and talent that has caught Taylor's attention. He also noted Littler's composure and maturity both on and off the oche. In fact, his calm and collected demeanor has even frustrated more experienced players on the circuit. Taylor shared, "He just sits there, he's quiet as a mouse. He's lovely company to be with. He doesn't drink, he just sits there, he has a game. He's doing the other players' heads in!"
When asked if Littler has a chance of winning the Worlds at Ally Pally, Taylor replied, "I wouldn't bet against him. Honestly, I wouldn't bet against him. Definitely have him as an each-way bet." With such high praise from a darts legend like Taylor, it's clear that Littler is a force to be reckoned with in the world of darts.
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