Luke Littler starts mind games with Luke Humphries as darts duo to meet in Premier League opener

Littler has since bounced back by winning the Bahrain Masters, the first senior title of his career.

And the teenager is looking forward to his showdown with Humphries, upping the ante by saying all the pressure is on his opponent - instead of himself.

"[Humphries] has been unbelievable," he said, per the Mirror.

"That is why he has won a world title and why he went on a 20-game winning streak.

"So now he's the man to beat - and all the focus will be coming on to him.

"Hopefully the World Championship won't be the last time we meet in a major final - and if it is me and Luke in every final, that would still be good.

"But you still have all those dangerous players out there - Michael Smith, Gezzy (Gerwyn Price) and Michael van Gerwen - and it's going to be gruelling.

"Everyone who has won a Tour card can beat you - you win a Tour card because you are one of the best."

As for Humphries, the 28-year-old has brought Littler back down to earth by warning him about big tests in store.

"We're in an era where not one player is dominating the sport anymore," he said.

"If Luke gets better than he already is then it could be a possibility but he's going to face a lot of great players this year.

"He's not faced everyone, he's only faced six players so far.

"You've got Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall and Peter Wright.

"All these players are tough competitors but if he keeps getting better then he could dominate the sport for sure but it's up to me to get even better and not allow that to happen.

"I think we're in the greatest era of darts because it's not dominated by one person anymore.

"It's a very, very open sport and I think a lot of players believe they can win and I'm talking right down to the top 64 and that's what makes it so open."

Littler, meanwhile, recently celebrated his 17th birthday.

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And he's told the BBC that he can't wait to start driving now he's old enough.

"It's going to be a big thing, it saves my agent and my dad driving me," he said.

"They can put their feet up on the dashboard rather than me doing it."

As Littler prepares to make his Premier League debut, Michael van Gerwen will be the man to beat.

The Dutchman has reached nine finals over the years, winning seven and losing twice from 11 appearances.

Phil Taylor won the prize six times during his career, with Gary Anderson (x2), James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld, Glen Durrant and Jonny Clayton also scooping the gong.