Insistent Michael van Gerwen has warned rival Luke Littler he has no shot of ever eclipsing Phil Taylor’s 16 world titles.
The hype surrounding the 17-year-old has reached stratospheric levels with some observers broaching the idea he could one day eclipse the GOAT. But the straight-shooting van Gerwen – a three-time world champion in his own right – has slapped away any suggestions the Nuke will detonate year after year at the World Championships.
Speaking to Sports Boom, 35-year-old van Gerwen, who liked hearing Taylor won his final world crown at the age of 52, said: “Don’t talk about the potential of breaking Phil’s [Taylor] records, there is no chance!.” And van Gerwen coudn’t resist a gentle dig in the direction of the sport’s newest superstar as he prepares to make his second appearance at Ally Pally. He added: “Ryan Meikle is a good player. Of course Luke is a massive favourite but Ryan is quite a slow player so maybe there could be a surprise, you never know. It wouldn’t be the first tournament he loses the first round this year as well [smirks]. But I still expect him to win.”
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