January 15th 2025.
It's no secret that Luke Littler has taken the darts world by storm. Phil Taylor, a legendary figure in the sport, believes that Littler has "created a monster for himself" due to his outstanding performance on the oche. As a result, his competitors will be "hunting him down" and determined to take him down.
At only 17 years old, Littler has already achieved superstar status thanks to his record-breaking win at the World Darts Championship earlier this month. This was just a year after his impressive debut at Alexandra Palace, where he finished as the runner-up to Luke Humphries. In the span of just 12 months, Littler has become a household name and established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the darts world.
However, Littler is not the only formidable player on the oche. Michael van Gerwen, who lost to Littler in the Ally Pally final, and Humphries, who currently holds the top spot in the world rankings, are just a few of the other threats at the elite level. Taylor acknowledges that players are struggling to find their best form against the young star, but he believes that this aura won't last long as his rivals will be more motivated than ever to beat him.
"That's the case right now," Taylor told Metro about Littler's intimidating presence. "But people will get used to it. Michael van Gerwen had it, I had it, Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] had it. But that doesn't last for long because they'll get frustrated and think, 'I'm not losing to him again!' He's created a monster for himself."
Taylor also believes that former world champion Michael Smith will be one of the contenders who will fight back against Littler. He predicts that players will start to be more selective about their schedules and focus on being in top form for the next World Championship, where they will have their sights set on dethroning Littler.
"This upcoming year is going to be exciting because Michael [van Gerwen] is definitely going to be determined to get back on that practice board," Taylor said. "So will Luke Humphries, Michael Smith, and the other players. I think they will start to pick and choose their tournaments because there are just too many. It's about not burning out and being ready for the World Championship next year. It's going to be fantastic."
As a 16-time world champion himself, Taylor knows what it takes to be at the top. He also warns Littler that the expectations placed on him will only continue to grow. Any defeat will be scrutinized, and the young star will face criticism and questioning from fans and the media.
"Oh, you can bet on it!" Taylor said. "When I used to get beaten, oh man! You wouldn't believe it. It used to get on my nerves. 'What happened, Phil? Has the bubble burst? You cost me a tenner!' And I would say, 'it cost you a tenner? It cost me £250,000. Plus bonuses! Here's a tenner, shut up!'"
In other exciting news, MODUS Super Series and Pluto TV have joined forces to bring darts to viewers in the UK and across multiple international markets. The brand new channel, MODUS Super Series Darts, will feature darts programming 24/7 and is available for free on Pluto TV.
The channel's main event will be the live Pluto TV MODUS Super Series tournament, which will showcase 104 matches every week. Pluto TV is also the title sponsor of the tournament. Darts fans can now immerse themselves in the sport like never before, with a mix of live matches, expert analysis, and behind-the-scenes content.
The live tournament, which is the heart of the channel, will feature both established players and up-and-coming talent, creating thrilling moments that highlight the intensity and precision of the sport. Viewers can also enjoy in-depth features and documentaries that delve into the journeys and stories of darts personalities, providing a deeper connection to the game and its players.
On Saturday, January 18, the channel will host a special live event, The Legends League Finals Night, exclusively on Pluto TV. The legendary Phil "The Power" Taylor will be in the studio to provide analysis as other darts legends battle it out to win the Legends League. This will be the first event of the exclusive partnership, which will kick off with the start of the Pluto TV MODUS Super Series Ten.
The victorious player in the tournament will walk away with a prize of £25,000 and follow in the footsteps of previous winners, including the teenage prodigy and current World Darts Champion Luke Littler, who won the tournament twice at the age of 16. With this new partnership, darts fans can now enjoy their favorite sport anytime, anywhere.
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