Luke Littler, the rising darts sensation, has responded with just one word after fellow darts player Michael van Gerwen criticized him for his timekeeping habits. The 18-year-old has faced scrutiny for his punctuality since his rapid success in the darts world. James Wade had previously called out Littler for his laid-back approach to practice, and now Van Gerwen has joined in by expressing his frustration at Littler’s tendency to arrive late to events. The controversy escalated when Littler failed to show up on time for his Premier League media obligations in February, leading to a light-hearted comment from Van Gerwen.
Littler, also known as ‘The Nuke,’ did not shy away from taking accountability for his actions and openly admitted his shortcomings. Despite the buzz surrounding the anticipated Premier League night in Belfast where Littler was set to compete against Van Gerwen, the young star’s tardiness at a related photocall only added fuel to the discussion around his time-management skills. When reporters questioned Van Gerwen about Littler’s lateness, the Dutch player corrected them by stating that Littler was actually 45 minutes late, emphasizing the need for Littler to learn to be more responsible in a professional sport like darts.
Rather than dismissing Van Gerwen’s criticism, Littler responded with humility and self-awareness in a video for the Sky Sports Darts YouTube channel. When asked who is consistently late on the PDC tour, Littler’s colleagues Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall quickly pointed to him as the culprit. Littler then admitted with a smile, “Person that’s always late? Me,” showcasing his willingness to own up to his actions. Despite the pre-tournament controversy, Littler faced Van Gerwen in a close match on the opening night of the new Premier League season in Belfast, where Van Gerwen secured a narrow 6-5 victory in their quarter-final encounter.
Both players displayed exceptional performances, with ‘The Nuke’ achieving an impressive average of 113.91. The competition continued in Glasgow, with Littler staging a remarkable comeback from a 5-1 deficit against Rob Cross, going on to defeat Van Gerwen 6-2 in the semi-finals and ultimately emerging victorious by edging out Luke Humphries 6-5. The intense matches and Littler’s resilience on the dartboard have solidified his reputation as a formidable player in the darts world. The back-and-forth battles between Littler and Van Gerwen have captivated fans and highlighted the competitive spirit of professional darts.
As Littler navigates the challenges of balancing his growing career with the expectations of the sport, his ability to face criticism with grace and determination showcases his maturity beyond his years. Despite the spotlight on his punctuality, Littler’s talent and dedication to the game have not gone unnoticed, earning him respect among his peers and fans alike. With his unwavering focus and passion for darts, Littler continues to make a name for himself on the professional circuit, setting the stage for exciting matches and further accomplishments in his promising career.