Luke Littler holds his tongue on live TV after World Darts Championship question
Luke Littler refused to name the rivals he believes he can defeat as the world No.1 kept his cards close to his chest before beginning to defend his world championship
Luke Littler has kept his cards close to his chest after refusing to reveal which players he believes he can beat. The world champion held back from naming names during a live television interview on Sky Sports ahead of his first-round match at the World Darts Championship.
Wayne Mardle broached the topic after asking Littler if his interactions with other players had changed since becoming world No. 1. Mardle suggested that ‘The Nuke’ now has certain players exactly where he wants them.
Littler said: “Yeah, I think I’ve got a few players…” Mardle quickly interjected, saying: “You don’t have to name them.”
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To which Littler replied: “No, I won’t, I won’t be doing that. But yeah, I know I can beat players as soon as I get on the stage.
“Obviously, I do want to name them, but no, we won’t.” This exchange sparked laughter in the Sky studio.
However, when asked about potential threats to his title defence, the 18-year-old did not hold back. He said: “Obviously, you’ve got Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, but I think just going off records and stuff, I think Gezzy (Gerwyn Price) is the hardest game, and yeah, he’s in my quarter [of the draw].
“I think the start of last year he won five or six on the bounce, but at the minute I think I’ve won the last seven or eight, so I’ve got that over him. But we both know we can beat each other, and we had a really good game at the Grand Prix, but everyone is a danger.”
The match Littler refers to saw him stage an incredible comeback in a nail-biting final leg, after Price had taken an early two-set lead. This victory propelled him into the semi-finals of that major tournament, which he ultimately clinched by defeating Luke Humphries in the final.
Littler also triumphed over Humphries earlier this year at Alexandra Palace to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy. His title defence kicked off on the opening night of the championship, and he made light work of Darius Labanauskas.
He fully intends to retain his title. Littler said: “My form says that I could beat anyone right now. Ten years ago, Gary Anderson won back-to-back titles, and 10 years later, I’m standing here as the current champion, and I’m looking to go back-to-back myself.”
“I’ve got that number one spot now, and hopefully I can have another tournament to remember this time around. I’ve won the last three big majors, and there’s only one more to go in the year. It was my first big tournament at the Worlds, and with the crowd behind me, it feels like home at Ally Pally.”
