Luke Littler hits back at critics after surprise darts move goes wrong | Other | Sport

After he did, he turned his attention to individuals criticising him for competing in the World Youth Championship. When his decision to compete in the tournament, usually intended as a route for young players to reach the opening rounds at Alexandra Palace, was mentioned, Littler replied: “It’s the same venue where we professionals play.

«The likes of Gian van Veen, tour card holder, Keane Barry, tour card holder, but I’m the one who gets it in the neck. I didn’t win so obviously a lot of people were happy. I just thought I’d come and get used to playing first to five and first to six. That’s what I did today and yesterday.»

Littler also made some time to have a thinly veiled dig at darts fans who said he will not be able to get to Minehead. He added: «I am on social media. Lots of people were saying that I wasn’t going to make it. There you go, I’ve won it today.”

Littler had to do it the hard way to ensure he booked his place in the finals at Minehead. He overcame surprise finalist Dennie Olde Kalter 8-2 in the final in Wigan. 

Littler had to overcome Dylan Slevin, Jeffrey De Graff, Adam Lipscombe, Adam Hunt, Rhys Griffin and Stephen Bunting, before he beat Kalter in the final. The 18-year-old has his eye on overtaking Humphries to become the World No. 1. 

Unbelievably, that was only Littler’s first Players Championship title of the season. After his victory, he said: “At the start of the day it’s never the best, you’ve just got to get past those early stages.

«Then when it comes down to the last 16 and quarters, that’s when it turns nitty-gritty. I’m very happy with today (Wednesday).I’m very exhausted but happy to have come away with a win.

«I did the Grand Prix and then the youth, yesterday and today. I’ve been playing for 10 or 11 days non-stop so I will have a well-deserved break this weekend and then I will be back for the Europeans.”