LUKE LITTLER deliberately taunted fans in order to “get under their skin” at the World Series of Darts final.
The Nuke was defeated by Michael van Gerwen in Amsterdam on Sunday in a thrilling 11-7 finale.
Luke Littler was taking a lot of flak from the Dutch fans on Sunday
He made sure to have a bit of fun of his own
During the clash, Dutch fans gave Littler, 18, a lot of stick from the auditorium.
It appeared to get to the reigning world champion as he stopped before taking one of his throws to go back to his table.
But really, it was Littler’s way of saying he will throw when he was ready and swirled his water around in a theatrical manner.
There is a competitive, almost arrogant streak in his play – he would not have won so much without it – and he is not afraid to do that when he needs to.
Littler, 18, said: “Whatever I do on stage, that’s just for myself. It gives me a bit of confidence.
“When I was swilling my water, that was for the fans, it wasn’t for me. I was just trying to get under their skin a bit.
“Would I have done that years ago? Maybe. In 2023, I’d have been a lot younger then.
“Whatever I do, it’s for myself. Usually I don’t take time. Usually I just want to get on with the game.
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“The crowd were on my back and I just had to try and do something, just had to try and settle myself, and then hit that double ten.”
Meanwhile, Littler is ticking off the days until the PDC World Darts Championship starts this Christmas – and he is eyeing the £1million on the table.
The World Grand Prix, which starts on October 6 in Leicester, signals the countdown to the big one at Ally Pally.
In a short space of time, the majors will pile up – with the European Championship in Dortmund, the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (Littler is the reigning champion) and the Players Championship at Butlin’s Minehead.
More than £1.5million prize money is available to win over the next three months, and there is a good chance he will overtake Luke Humphries as world No.1.
Should Littler win seven games in a row at world level – he will start on the opening night of December 11 – he would secure the sport’s biggest jackpot of £1million.
GettyLittler lost to Van Gerwen in the World Series of Darts final[/caption]
However, it will not be easy as the last man to retain possession of the Sid Waddell Trophy was Gary Anderson in 2016.
Speaking at the launch of a new Target Darts pop-up shop in Manchester, Littler said: “As the days are ticking by and the Worlds are shortly coming round, then it does start to get exciting.
“The first year was just new to me, I was just enjoying it. This year I’m also enjoying it. I’ve won a few titles.
“It’s the same old busy schedule. From about four weeks ago, up until the World’s, I’ve got two weekends off before my first game, so it’s very busy. It’s all preparation for the Worlds.
“Obviously I want to win the Worlds. All the players would look at the prize money but for myself, it’s just about going back-to-back.”
Littler was one of seven world champions, from the BDO and PDC circuits, as Target Darts – the leading manufacturer of equipment – launched a temporary store, which will be around for about two weeks.
It is the first of its kind since one popped up outside of West Ham’s London Stadium a few years ago.
There is, however, one thing that even Littler cannot master – and that is his theory driving test, which he has now failed SIX times.
The Warrington teen conceded: “I did do a theory the other week but I didn’t put that on my Instagram.
“Oh, it was a bad one. I’ll let you know that.
“I can’t pass the hazard (perception test). I’m trying. I just want to pass.
“I’ve got a car at home – it’s not a Mercedes – so yeah it’s sat there waiting.”
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