Luke Littler, the 17-year-old darts sensation, stirred emotions and excitement at the PDC World Darts Championship this past weekend. After sealing his spot in the tournament's third round with a 3-1 victory over Ryan Meikle, Littler opened up about the unexpected emotional reactions he experienced on stage.
The match, held on December 21, 2024, at London’s Alexandra Palace, saw Littler face off against Meikle, who threw up quite the fight. Much to the astonishment of the crowd, the initial sets were fraught with nerves for the young player. “I always say after those two breaks, you say to yourself, 'That's it now, you've had your two breaks,'” Littler reflected when discussing the pressure he felt at the start. Once he found his rhythm, the third set turned the tide entirely.
Despite the tussle, Littler displayed his formidable talent, dazzling spectators with powerful darts. He nearly achieved the tournament's second nine-darter, which would have pocketed £60,000 for one lucky fan and solidified his reputation as one of the tournament's hot favourites. Shattering the record for the best average score in a set, Littler averaged 140.91 during the fourth set, eclipsing the previous record held by Gerwyn Price.
Yet, it wasn't just the allure of victory or outstanding scores; it was the emotional weight of competition weighing heavily on Littler. His post-match interview with Sky Sports' Abigail Davies was so poignant it caused the live coverage to abruptly cut to commercial break. Visibly moved, Littler, shortly after the match, reunited with his parents on stage, with his mother visibly emotional as well.
When asked about the tears he shed following the victory, Littler candidly shared, “When the question came on stage and then boom, the tears came. It was just a bit too much to speak on stage. It is the worst game I have played. I have never felt anything like this.” The burden of expectations, combined with his recent accolade as the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year, likely played its part. He expressed the absolute importance of the match, stating it was “probably the most important game I've ever played.”
Littler admitted the atmosphere of being on stage was overwhelming at first. “All week I was looking forward, excited to play on stage, no nerves. The train ride down here was fine, just being myself. But as soon as I got on stage, it was like, 'I don't want to be here.' Just in my head,” he confessed. Battling his nerves was part of the challenges he faced; the first set was particularly difficult for him.
After rediscovering his focus, Littler began to dominate the match, only allowing Meikle to win one leg across the final six. His emotional response mirrored the intensity of his performance. “It was probably the toughest game I've ever played. I had to fight until the end,” he reiterated. Despite his struggles early on, Littler expressed relief and joy at reaching the next round where he will face seasoned competitor Ian White.
Looking forward to the holidays, Littler expressed, “I can enjoy Christmas safely knowing my quest for the title is still alive.” The intersection of triumph and emotion made for a memorable night not only for Littler but also for his family and supporters, who are witnessing his incredible rise within the sport.
With his emotional display and record-breaking performance, Luke Littler is not only capturing the interest of darts enthusiasts but also demonstrating the remarkable pressures faced by young competitors at high-stakes tournaments. He seems poised for even greater heights as the championship continues, with fans eagerly awaiting his next match.
