Legend John Part emphasizes the immense pressure that teenager Luke Littler must endure as he strives to claim his first World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Littler came tantalizingly close to a nine-dart finish as he defeated Ryan Meikle in a record-breaking performance on Saturday night.
The 17-year-old returned to the grand stage a year after his remarkable debut run to the final and demonstrated why he is the frontrunner to secure the title this year.
Littler was just a hair’s breadth away from perfection when he missed a double 12, but he delivered a remarkable 140.91 average in the final set to secure a 3-1 victory.
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Littler reflected on his 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle in his World Championship Darts opener
That set a record for the highest average in a single set at the world championship as the Warrington ace continues to push boundaries.
The victory was incredibly emotional for Littler, who ended his on-stage interview abruptly after becoming tearful.
“The pressure he’s under is unfathomable,” Part told Sky Sports. “Perhaps some players may understand it, but no one has ever had to navigate it at his age.
“The overwhelming demands on his time and the fear of not performing weigh heavily on him. I’m sure there was immense relief for him.
“While he may be disappointed about missing the nine-darter, I believe his emotions were more about the release at the end. It’s a healthy response.
“There’s a backlog of emotions that he has to control during play. That’s what makes him a champion. And if he needs some time alone after, that’s okay.”
Littler entered the tournament as the biggest name in the sport, and ‘The Nuke’ secured his spot back at Ally Pally post-Christmas against Ritchie Edhouse or Ian White in the third round.
“He’s been enjoying himself, exploring new places, playing in unfamiliar tournaments, winning many of them, engaging in numerous matches,” Part elaborated. “If you love darts, playing matches is enjoyable.
“It’s been a great experience for him, but I think the reality of his impact on the game since last year’s World Championship finally hit him post-victory.
“It’s fortunate that this realization came after a win, as it wouldn’t have been fair after all he’s done for the game.
“Watching Luke, it occurred to me that his match experiences from last year wouldn’t be of much use now. He’s a completely different player with new expectations and tactics from his opponents.
“Last year, playing against a 16-year-old was awkward for some players, unsure of what to expect. But this year, he’s the favorite in the tournament.
“In the eyes of many, he’s the darts deity they’ve been waiting for. The pressure on him is immense. This was his first taste of the real professional world championship experience.
“The expectations, the extraordinary pressure he’ll have to bear—it won’t disappear, it will be present in every game, but he will adapt, I’m certain.”
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Luke Humphries is aiming to defend the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace
Enjoy all the excitement at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on Sky Sports Darts as Luke Humphries defends his title against challengers like Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson for the Sid Waddell Trophy – only the best entertainment awaits.
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