Luke Littler makes Emma Raducanu feelings clear with blunt response - 'To be honest'

Luke Littler makes Emma Raducanu feelings clear with blunt response - 'To be honest'

WATCH NOW: Luke Littler dealt snub amid dream of Premier League glory

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 11/02/2024

- 11:54

The whirlwind rise of the darts star has sparked comparisons with his fellow Briton

Luke Littler has admitted he's not too familiar with Emma Raducanu's story amid his stunning rise to prominence.

The darts star has become a household name ever since his outstanding performances at the World Championship at the start of the year.


Littler's whirlwind rise has drawn comparisons with Raducanu, who burst onto the tennis scene back in 2021.

The 21-year-old famously won the US Open that year, becoming the first female Briton to win a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon all the way back in 1977.

Luke Littler Emma Raducanu

Luke Littler isn't too bothered by comparisons with tennis star Emma Raducanu

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Raducanu has previously given Littler advice.

But the darts star, when asked by the Daily Mail if he's familiar with the tennis star, made it clear he wasn't.

"I've not really looked into anything like that to be honest. Not really," he said.

Littler is clearly unfazed, with the darts star focusing on success in the sport with so many years ahead of him.

The teenager also shed light on how he became so good, revealing he started playing in pub leagues at the age of 10.

Littler said he became 'noticed' while beating older, experienced opponents.

And he also says lockdown played a key role in his improvement, too, with the teenager admitting there was 'nothing else to do'.

He added: "I have always been OK at the game.

"I started in the pub leagues when I was around 10 and before that I was in the St Helens Dart Academy, every Monday from 6pm to 10pm.

"I guess people noticed me. I would beat adults and sometimes there was a reaction.

"I think a big thing was when we first went into lockdown (in 2020) I was doing four or five hours a day because there was nothing else to do."

Littler doesn't need to practice too much, however.

He continued: "Now maybe it is 20 minutes or half an hour.

"Because I have my talent I don't really need to do silly hours again.

"The hard work paid off and I don't need to overdo myself any more."

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Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu famously won the US Open against all odds back in 2021

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Regarding Raducanu, meanwhile, the tennis star is hoping for an improved 2024 after being hampered by injuries last year.

And Tim Henman, speaking to the Metro, has set the former US Open champion the target of playing in 20 tournaments this year.

"If she can play 20 tournaments without any injury setbacks, I think that would be fantastic," he said.

"She’s too good for the wins not to come. I do believe her level is that good.

"It’s much more about the process and less about the outcome.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler says he doesn't practice darts too much despite his outstanding performances

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"She’s still massively inexperienced.

"If you do a number count of the matches she has played on the main tour, it is still so little.

"She’s got to build up physical resilience and the experience of being on tour.

"Then she will be able to do herself justice.

"Post-US Open, she was still trying to build up her physicality at tournaments, which is hard to do."

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