For the first time, Luke Littler allowed himself to dream. Perhaps the only thing harder to imagine than the 16-year-old prodigy winning the world championship is the thought of someone beating him. And after brushing aside Brendan Dolan to set up a semi-final against the 2018 champion Rob Cross, Littler admitted for the first time that as soon as the winning dart hit the double-four bed, he was thinking about lifting the trophy.
“I know I have the ability to go all the way,” he said. “This is the first time I have thought about it. I have a good feeling in myself. It will take a lot to stop me, based on my past performances. It’s whatever Luke Littler and Rob Cross turn up tomorrow evening.”
For all the shock and awe, the breathtaking 100-plus averages, the unprecedented interest his rise has generated for one of this country’s niche sports, Littler retains an intriguing blend of diffidence and deference. “Not a chance, you’ve still got MVG [Michael van Gerwen] and Luke [Humphries],” he replied when asked whether he was the best player in the world right now.
Even so, he knows exactly how good he is, reminding us that his performances in this tournament have already earned him a place in the world’s Top 50. Victory against Cross would move him into the Top 30; victory in the final into the Top 10.
All of which has led to feverish speculation over exactly what the next year holds for the sport’s newest sensation. A lucrative invite to the elite eight-player Premier League feels more and more likely with every victory, even with the potential for burnout.
“I am not expecting it,” Littler said. “This is my first major, and other pros deserve it more than me. I’ve seen what the Premier League does. Pro Tours Monday and Tuesday, Euro Tour qualifiers Wednesday, Premier League Thursday. I think the PDC will keep me out of it. It would be brutal.”
He also cautiously endorsed Gary Anderson’s controversial comments last week that the volume of coverage on Littler was “ruining” him, and urging the media to “let him play”. “Yeah, please, if you can,” Littler said. “I don’t mind [the media], but it does get a bit too much.”
Cross, his opponent in Tuesday’s semi-final, was happy to play up his expectations of his opponent. “Realistically, he’s favourite,” Cross admitted after an unbelievable victory in the afternoon session, coming back from 4-0 down to beat Chris Dobey 5-4. “Luke is amazing. Whatever he achieves, he’s going to have a bright future. He’s a breath of fresh air. He’s brilliant and I’ll have to produce.”
