Tearful Littler
LUKE LITTLER broke down in tears and cut short a TV interview due to emotion – after he almost hit his first Ally Pally nine-darter.
The Nuke was so overcome by what he had done following his 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship that he was lost for words.
Minutes after he had missed out on achieving the perfect leg in the fourth set, the tournament favourite was put in front of the Sky Sports camera.
Littler, 17, said “I started off dead slow…” to reporter Abigail Davies but then stopped talking and had to walk away to wipe away his tears.
Saturday’s results
Afternoon Session
First round
Karel Sedlacek 0-3 Rhys Griffin
Richard Veenstra 0-3 Alexis Toylo
Second round
Brendan Dolan 3-0 Lok Yin Lee
Chris Dobey 3-1 Alexander Merkx
Evening Session
Second round
Danny Noppert 1-3 Ryan Joyce
Raymond van Barneveld 1-3 Nick Kenny
Luke Littler 3-1 Ryan Meikle
Damon Heta 3-1 Connor Scutt
Part on Littler’s pressure
Darts legend John Part has spoken about the pressure on Luke Littler’s shoulders, ahead of his World Darts Championship win.
He told Sky Sports:
I don’t think anyone can understand the pressure he’s under. Certainly nobody has had to deal with it at his age.
“I’m sure there’s so much relief for him. He can control that emotion and if he needs that time to himself after, then that’s fine.”
Littler reaction
Littler revealed his struggles to overcome his nerves.
It’s probably the first time it’s hit me.
“I needed [the last set] quite a lot. I don’t even want to remember it. No offence to Ryan. I’m going to try and get it out of my head.
“It’s been a lot to deal with. When [referee] George Noble said ‘game on’ I couldn’t do it.”