
PHIL TAYLOR expressed his surprise at Luke Littler’s decision to forgo practice following the World Championships.
Littler, aged 17, has not engaged in any dart practice since his impressive 7-3 win against the Dutch competitor in a thrilling final at Ally Pally.
“Even a short session of half an hour could be beneficial. I might reach peak performance, but a two-day break could set me back weeks.
“I needed to practice. Luke might have more natural talent than I do.
“It’s like going to the gym; a couple of weeks off can lead to a month spent regaining your rhythm.
“Winning the world championship places a target on your back, necessitating an improvement in performance.
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“Bahrain will be a major test for young Luke. Let’s see how he handles it.
“I’m looking forward to watching him. The pressure will be on to perform well, and I believe he will rise to the challenge.”
‘Some players are aging… they need to go’ – Luke Littler shares a candid opinion on his cherished Man Utd
Luke Littler prize money breakdown

Here’s a summary of the prize money Luke Littler has secured since being crowned the 2025 PDC World Darts Champion:
World Championship 2025 – £500,000
World Championship 2024 – £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000
European Tour – £91,000
Player Championship events – £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500
World Matchplay – £10,000
World Grand Prix – £7,500
European Championship – £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
The Power, now 64, notes that his shopping trips are frequently interrupted by fans eager to talk about The Nuke as he selects his groceries!
Taylor, widely considered the greatest player in the sport with 16 world titles, has immense respect for young Littler, who remarkably claimed the Sid Waddell Trophy this month at just 17.
Rooney was only 16 when he made his Premier League debut – scoring that iconic goal against David Seaman while with Everton in October 2002 – and played for England just four months later at 17.
He remarked: “Luke has a remarkable temperament. He’s an impressive young man. For someone at merely 17, he’s exceptional.
“Honestly, I’ve never encountered anyone like him. Except for Wayne Rooney.
“I see similarities between them. Both appear to be genuinely nice individuals, which they undoubtedly are.
“However, when they compete, whether on the field or at the dartboard, they’re fierce! There’s no stopping them.
“You have to go out there and defeat them. Don’t rely on them to underperform. Because they won’t.”
Taylor’s passion for a sport he once dominated has only grown due to Littler’s extraordinary accomplishments over the past year.
What he might have steered clear of watching, particularly in the years right after his retirement in 2018, he finds difficult to resist now.
Yet, he shares that his grocery runs take longer due to Littler’s newfound fame.
Taylor commented: “Luke has elevated darts to a higher level. Everyone is talking about him, trust me.
“I just visited the supermarket on Monday, and people kept asking me: ‘What do you think about this Luke Littler?’
“I typically stay in the car and send my partner in. ‘I’ve had enough of the questions, I don’t want to deal with it!’
“I could be stopped multiple times while I’m shopping. The most common inquiry is: ‘Can he maintain this level?’
“I respond: ‘Of course he can. He’s just 17.’ It’s all about how he manages everything. Is he getting the right amount of rest? Is he avoiding burnout?
“He has fantastic support from his parents. His brother is a wonderful young man. His manager is trustworthy. So far, he’s on the right path.”
Fans can catch Taylor live on Pluto TV this Saturday, where he will give commentary for the Legends League in the Modus Super Series.
Pluto TV, a streaming platform, will host Super Series tournaments exclusively, featuring 104 live matches each week, along with in-depth specials and documentaries.
Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues
Night 1 – The SSE Arena, Belfast – Thursday, February 6
Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday, February 13
Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday, February 20
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday, February 27
Night 5 – The Brighton Centre – Thursday, March 6
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday, March 13
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday, March 20
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday, March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday, April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday, April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday, April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday, April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday, May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday, May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday, May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday, May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday, May 29