Luke Littler has revealed he’s confident of eclipsing Phil Taylor’s records – as long as he wants to – following his triumph at the Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday night.
The teenager reeled off 15 straight legs to beat Martin Lukeman 16-3 and secure his first major TV ranking title in Wolverhampton.
It is just the latest triumph for Littler, who won the Premier League earlier in the year.
Despite his young age, it’s clear he’s already a force to be reckoned with and there’s a sense he could scale even bigger heights in the coming years ahead.
Luke Littler has revealed he’s confident of eclipsing Phil Taylor’s records – as long as he wants to – following his triumph at the Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday night
SKY
Littler was asked about potentially eclipsing Taylor’s records in the sport after his victory.
And the teenager suggested he was confident of doing that, so long as he’s got the fire burning within.
“If I want it, then I should get it,” Littler said, per Sky Sports.
“But it’s going to take quite some years to pick up the amount of trophies, not only what Michael [van Gerwen] has got, but also Phil Taylor.”
Littler, this time last year, was ranked No 164 in the world.
Fast-forward to now, however, he’s climbed up to No 5.
Littler is proud of that achievement but the 17-year-old won’t be resting on his laurels, with the Warrington-born star keen to go even higher.
“I’m just so glad to win it,” he admitted.
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“I’ve been playing well all week long. But it’s paid off.
“I’ve always got to have the scoring power with me. I can’t afford to drop off in any leg. I had a slow start but I kicked on from there.
“I knew coming into the tournament if I did get my hands on the trophy I’d be up to No 5 in the world.
“But No 5 in the space of 12 months. There’s another two more rankings tournaments to come. I hope I can go higher from five.”
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“He’s had a curry, a boost and some squashies, he’s a joke” 🤣
Martin Lukeman cannot get over how good Luke Littler is. pic.twitter.com/b7iZrofIIi
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) November 18, 2024
Lukeman could have been forgiven for feeling dejected after his defeat.
But the 39-year-old opted to lavish praise on Littler instead, while also admitting his shock at his rival’s pre-match meal.
Speaking to Sportsboom, he said: “He is a joke. That’s how good he is. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
“He had a curry, and a Boost [chocolate bar], then walks up there and just smashes me like that. I’m like, what?
Luke Littler is now up to world No 5 after his victory at the Grand Slam of Darts
SKY
“98 per cent of the players down there just doing what they do, but he’s actually had a curry, a Boost, and them little sweets half pink, half white… squashies, yeah squashies.
“He even had them at half time [an ad break], while I’m having a fag, and a water. I take my hat off to him.”