With a day off before his quarter final against Nathan Aspinall, Luke Littler is free to let loose on New Year’s Eve.
But don’t expect the 17-year-old to be out and about ringing in 2025.
PDCLittler let all the emotions out after he prevailed over Ryan Joyce[/caption]
Littler sealed his spot in the last eight of this year’s World Darts Championship with a nail-biting 4-3 win over Ryan Joyce.
It was a neck-and-neck thriller that was only decided when Littler found another gear in the seventh set.
A handful of Premier League stars had also turned out to watch Littler in action, with Southampton duo Aaron Ramsdale and Adam Armstrong, Tottenham’s Micky Van de Ven and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker in attendance.
With the tournament now taking a one-day pause before the action resumes at the Alexandra Palace, it allows players freedom to spend New Year’s Eve however they please.
For Littler, he plans on spending it with his nearest and dearest.
“I’ll just chill out on New Year’s Eve with mum and dad,” Littler told talkSPORT.
“We’ll probably go out for some food. But there’s not a lot of celebrating going on.
“There wasn’t last year. It was just having that day off to chill and come back on New Year’s Day.”
Perhaps that final feed of the year may involve a celebratory kebab, which became Littler’s famous meal of choice after his wins during last year’s World Championship.
The 17-year-old even asked the crowd what he should have to eat after he beat Matt Campbell in the third round.
PDCSouthampton star Aaron Ramsdale was eager to give Littler some words of encouragement[/caption]
He said: “I asked the Ally Pally what they wanted me to eat and they said kebab so kebab it is!”
Littler’s mother will no doubt welcome a night free of any darting drama, especially after the rollercoaster that was the 17-year-old’s win over Joyce.
The 17-year-old could sense his mum had been going through all the emotions.
Even Littler’s friends, who had ventured down from Warrington, were not safe from the stomach-churning theatre.
“I didn’t look over at her too much, it was mainly my manager and my dad,” Littler said.
“I know she was probably feeling it. All my friends travelled down today from Warrington. They said, ‘what have you just done to us?’
PDCThe 17-year-old ensured fans got their money’s worth in the seven-set thriller[/caption]
“I said, ‘I just won for you.’”
Littler added he didn’t have any words for his mum after the game and only gave her a hug.
The Littler clan will no doubt hope the 17-year-old has a less heart-racing clash against close friend and stablemate Nathan Aspinall in the quarter final.
Littler and Aspinall have faced off eight times in 2024, with the teenager winning seven of their encounters.
However, Aspinall goes into the match on the back of two consecutive whitewashes and his average has improved with every passing game.
When asked what he expects from Aspinall on Thursday, Littler simply replied: “Everything.
GettyLittler will be hoping to kick off 2025 with victory over Aspinall[/caption]
“He was very good all-round today. But I know myself. I’ve got another game to improve on the doubles. I know the power scoring is there and the 180s.
“So if I hit those doubles, I’ll be confident.”
