Michael van Gerwen has called on the media to stop asking Luke Littler "stupid questions" in a bid to get some of the pressure off the teenager's shoulders.
Littler has enjoyed a whirlwind few months since his run to the final of the World Championships at Alexandra Palace.
He's risen to the very top of professional darts and already has a World Series title to his name, where he defeated Van Gerwen in Bahrain
.But not one to be outdone, Van Gerwen has taken his revenge in some style ever since then with a dominating display in the Premier League.
Michael van Gerwen wants to protect Luke Littler
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The Dutchman made it a hat-trick of Premier League wins for the season on Thursday with an impressive victory in Newcastle.
Van Gerwen beat Littler in a semi-final contest that needed all 11 legs before he defeated Nathan Aspinall in the final.
It was the fourth time Van Gerwen and Littler have faced off this year with their previous Premier League contest also going the distance.
Speaking in his post-event press conference, Van Gerwen was asked about Littler with one reporter noting it appears to have become a "battle between you two".
The Dutchman jokingly replied with a wink: "Not really, I keep beating him."
But Van Gerwen then felt the need to stick up for Littler with a warning to the media to back off.
"He's a phenomenal player," Van Gerwen added.
"He has a lot of talent and he has such a great career in front of him.
Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler have played four time this year
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"But like I always say, get the pressure a little bit off him.
"Don't ask him too many stupid questions. Just let him enjoy what he does and it makes him a better player in the long run.
"He's a young kid, how much pressure the press and everyone puts on his shoulders - it' insane.
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Michael van Gerwen has won three Premier League nights already
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"I know as a player how that is. I don't think that's fair on him. Let him enjoy his life and do his own thing.
"Let him enjoy himself. Whatever he does, if he puts his shoe on, if he puts his darts in his hand, if he puts his finger in his nose, whatever he does, everyone speaks about him. Let him enjoy himself and live his life.
"I like to play against Luke Littler but if you keep doing this I've seen a lot of kids in his position drift off and I don't think that's good for the sport."
