Darts sensation Luke Littler claims that all-time legend Phil Taylor ‘would struggle’ in today’s game due to the competition.
Littler even went as far to say that he will have no trouble beating Taylor’s record of 16 World Championships – if he ‘wants to’.
GettyPhil Taylor won a record 16 World Championships – a feat Littler eyes himself[/caption]
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast alongside Gary Neville, reigning world champion Littler explained: “There’s a record there [Phil Taylor’s] to be broken, but it’s going to take some doing.
“He also won the World Matchplay 16 times, so he’s won two of the big majors 16 times – it’ll take some doing.
“It [the competition] is a lot better now. You still had Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow – it was still a good field, but nowadays, I think Phil would struggle.”
Despite admitting Taylor would be beatable in today’s game, 18-year-old Littler revealed that the now 64-year-old was his idol growing up.
“Phil Taylor was my idol. If I can be bothered to stay in darts for that time, I could maybe beat his record. He was 52 when he won his 16th world title. If I want to, then I will,” Littler explained.
Pressed on what would motivate him to keep playing until his fifties, Littler said: “Probably just the money, to be fair.”
It’s undeniable that Littler’s rise to stardom has coincided with a growing interest in darts, particularly amongst the younger generation.
Littler acknowledged his role in the growth of the sport through his academies and success on the circuit.
He added: “I’ve got my own academy set up. There are loads of different academies in Warrington, and up and down the country that have opened, and yeah, I’ve played a big part.
“If you take a picture with a kid, you can make their day, make their year.”
GettyLittler beat Michael van Gerwen on night seven of the Premier League Darts in Cardiff[/caption]
On the busy darts calendar, the teenager admitted he barely has a chance to ‘practice’ given the frequency of competitions.
Littler continued: “Some people like to practice a lot, but I barely practice during the week. I was being honest the other week in my interview about not picking up a dart from the previous tournament.
“We have the Premier League on a Thursday and usually, we’re then flying somewhere on the Friday for an international tournament, so you’re playing Thursday to Sunday.
“On Monday and Tuesday, we tend to have pro tours and then back to the Premier League on a Thursday. My practice is playing in these tournaments every week.
“The only reason why I pull out of tournaments is to get a bit of a break from the sport. We’re playing every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at least, so we need that break.
“Despite the busy schedule, I still enjoy playing and I love the walk ons and being on stage in front of the fans, it’s great.
GettyLittler admitted the money would be the biggest motivator to keep playing[/caption]
“For me, if your opponent is sat on a double to win and you’ve got a 100+ checkout, but I think to myself to let him go and I’ll hit. The pressure moments are my favourite part of the sport.
“The fans will get on your back if you miss your first dart at a checkout and if you’re miles out, then the pressure is on, but when it goes in on the third dart, it’s amazing.
“I travel to tournaments with Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall as we’ve got the same management team.
“With the other players like Michael van Gerwen or Luke Humphries, we’ll talk in the practice room and have banter to try and get into each other’s heads.
“Before every tournament, before we go on stage, we throw for nearest bull to see who goes first and every time I’ll go over to Michael van Gerwen, and he’ll try to get in my head about hitting the bullseye first but always get it before he does!”
Littler is next in action on Thursday in Berlin for the ninth week of Premier League Darts.
The teenager is top of the standings on 26 points, ahead of Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen.
