Luke Littler only good for Championship win? « Euro Weekly News
Luke Littler, the rising darts sensation, faces criticism and speculation over his performance and future in the sport
Credit : Shutterstock, Michael Potts F1
Just over a month ago, Luke Littler was the name on everyone’s lips. On January 3rd, the 17-year-old stunned the darts world by defeating Michael van Gerwen in the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace, cementing his place in history as the youngest champion ever.
The win silenced sceptics who had dismissed his rapid rise in 2024 as mere hype. But fast forward to February, and the narrative has changed dramatically.
Since lifting the trophy, Littler, now 18, has failed to reach a single tournament final in the relentless PDC calendar. His latest results include quarter-final exits at the Bahrain Darts Masters and Winmau World Masters, a semi-final finish at the Dutch Darts Masters, and an early third-round elimination at the Players Championship 1. His struggles have triggered a wave of criticism, with some questioning whether he can handle the pressure of being a world champion.
Luke Littler fires back at critics on social media
With the scrutiny mounting, speculation has emerged over whether Littler himself has responded via an old Facebook account, ‘Luke TheNuke Littler’, which dates back to when he was just seven years old. One viral post reads:
“I still made a few quid today while they sit at home, charging their phones, waiting for me to lose.”
The comment was reportedly a response to a supporter defending him against critics, stating:
“The hate towards Littler makes me laugh. Just remember what he achieved in a single year. People love to drag down success.”
While Littler has not confirmed if the account is active, the post has only fuelled the conversation surrounding his recent performances. Regardless, he remains focused on his schedule, with the Players Championship 2 on the horizon before heading to Glasgow for Premier League Night Two.
Retirement rumours swirl: Luke Littler opens up about his darts future
Amidst the scrutiny, Littler has sparked further discussion with his candid comments on the future of his career. Speaking on the Top and Tales Darts podcast, he hinted that he doesn’t see himself playing the sport for decades.
“Once the fire in your stomach goes out, there’s no point in playing anymore,” he remarked, referencing words from his former World Championship rival, Michael van Gerwen.
He added:
“If I say now that I’ll play darts for 30 more years, I could still wake up tomorrow and feel that the fire is gone. I probably won’t be playing at 50. That’s just how the sport works—it’s only getting bigger and bigger.”
For now, Littler remains in the thick of competition, but his struggles since his world title win have sparked fresh questions about how he’ll handle the long road ahead. Will he find his rhythm again, or is this the first real test of his young career?
Find more celebrity news
