Luke Littler reveals haunting regret ahead of World Darts Championship - 'One difference I would make'

WATCH NOW: Darts fans go wild for Luke Littler

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 14/12/2024

- 15:19

The 17-year-old is targeting glory at Alexandra Palace this winter

Luke Littler has admitted he's still haunted by his defeat to Luke Humphries in the final of the World Darts Championship earlier this year.

Few had heard of the teenager 12 months ago when he first appeared at the competition, which is held at Alexandra Palace.


But Littler quickly became a household name, with the youngster defying the odds to make the final.

At one point, the youngster was leading 4-2 with two arrows in hand. However, they both wired double two and Humphries capitalised by winning five sets without reply on his way to securing glory.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler has admitted he's still haunted by his defeat to Luke Humphries in the final of the World Darts Championship earlier this year

PA

Littler, speaking to The Mirror, has admitted it's something that still haunts him despite everything else he's achieved over the past year.

"Regrets? Yeah, probably that double two,” he said.

“I think that just took a sting out of the game. If I’d hit that…that’s the big question, isn’t it? If I hit that, do I go on and win it?

“But I didn’t hit it. That was all down to me, not thinking about it, not sure what I had left.

JUST IN: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight night in chaos as British undercard star fails drugs test

"That’s what happens if you don’t take your chance with the best player in the world sat on 28 - he will ping it, like Luke did.

“That is one difference I would make because then I’m two sets away and you never know what might have happened.

"But it wasn’t meant to be. There will be plenty of opportunities at the World Championship for the next 20 to 30 years, but it’s probably the biggest dart I’ve missed.”

Ever since then, Littler has gone from strength to strength.

READ MORE: Travis Kelce makes unexpected appearance at special event on Taylor Swift's birthday

He won the Premier League back in the summer, with Humphries poetically beaten in the final.

The sky is the limit for the 17-year-old, with few betting against him going all the way at Ally Pally this winter.

And Littler has also outlined his dreams for the future, insisting he'd love to jump above Humphries to be the world No 1.

“I want to win every Major at least once and be world No 1 – even if it is just for a day," he continued.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Luke Littler Luke HumphriesLuke Littler lost to Luke Humphries in the final of the World Darts ChampionshipPA

"I’d leave the sport very happy if I reached No.1 in the world.

“But I am here to win, to prove reaching the world championship final was not a fluke.

"I won in Bahrain, I won on the European Tour, I won the Premier League… that was me saying, I am here, it wasn’t a one-off."

As for his highlight of the year, Littler says meeting the Manchester United squad - and spending some time with Sir Alex Ferguson - stands out.

Luke Littler Premier League

Luke Littler wants to be the world No 1 as the World Darts Championship looms

PA

“I have had so much going on this year," he said.

"United have invited me to a few games, I’ve been to the training ground at Carrington as well.

"Meeting Fergie was mental. I am glad they know who I am.”

You may like