Luke Littler has been on a meteoric rise in the darts world, but the young prodigy is now receiving crucial advice from some of the sport’s biggest names. After a stellar year that saw him finish second at the Paddy Power PDC World Championship and claim victories at several major events including the Premier League, Austrian Darts Open, Belgian Darts Open, Bahrain Darts Masters, Poland Darts Masters, and the Wigan leg of the Players Championship, Littler has faced a challenging period. His recent defeat to Michael van Gerwen in the first round of the World Matchplay has sparked concerns about his current form.
Fallon Sherrock, who herself experienced a rapid ascent to fame, has cautioned Littler to guard against complacency. Sherrock, known as the ‘Queen of the Palace,’ shared her insights with SportsBoom, drawing parallels between her own rise and Littler’s current situation. “I see the similarities with the social media side and the publicity side to it,” Sherrock noted. “The only thing that is probably different is he’s still got the game, whereas I kind of lost my game a little bit.”
Sherrock emphasized the importance of staying focused and not letting the hype cloud Littler’s judgment. She advised him to avoid getting caught up in the whirlwind of fame and social media. “I hope he doesn’t take social media to heart and just ignores it,” she said. “Every loss is going to make him more determined each time. I think he’s just going to be one of those calibre of players that just keeps getting better and better with every defeat. Just don’t get complacent.”
James Wade also weighed in earlier this week, predicting that Littler might face a dip in form. Wade, with his extensive experience in the sport, is familiar with the pressures young players face and believes Littler will encounter some challenges ahead. Similarly, Dennis Priestley, a former two-time world champion, acknowledged the heavy expectations on Littler’s shoulders. Speaking to OLBG, Priestley reflected on Wade’s prediction and noted that the young player’s recent successes could indeed lead to a period of adjustment. “The money and fame could’ve gone to Luke’s head,” Priestley admitted. “But he’s had to work hard and make sacrifices to get where he is. He’s so young, and there are many factors that could be affecting him. Despite these hurdles, I’m confident he’ll work his way through it and continue to shine.”
With seasoned veterans offering their guidance, Littler has a wealth of experience to draw from as he navigates the pressures of being a young star in the darts world.
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