Luke Littler believes he can chase down Phil Taylor’s staggering 16 World titles mark.
But The Nuke still modestly refuses to call himself the best in the business. Littler has captured his first world crown at the age of 17. The Power’s benchmark of 16 triumphs is in serious danger in years ahead if the superkid puts his mind to the job. Taylor’s achievements were referenced to Littler when asked about his future aims and he said: “Just add onto it, get maybe a few more. If I want the 16, then I’m sure I could possibly achieve it. If I deep down, if I really want it, then my ability, I’m sure I can achieve a lot more. I know I’m in this for a long, long time.”
However, despite his incredible victory and career ascent, Littler refuses to call himself the best in the world. He smiled: “I won’t say I’m the best. Maybe stats-wise I might be the best, but I’ll never say it.”
Littler also plans taking the trophy to the home of his beloved Manchester United having prevented his mate Stephen Bunting from taking it to the ground of rivals Liverpool. He said: “If they allow me to, then I’m sure I’ll go to Old Trafford, yeah. I’m glad I beat Stephen [in the semi-finals] because I’m pretty sure he was taking it to Anfield on the weekend!”
Littler’s immediate targets are to start chasing down Luke Humphries as World No.1 Although champions, rankings are coming over a running two-year period which men he’s currently second behind Cool Hand. Littler said: “Yeah, obviously I know Luke’s got a lot [of money] to defend this year. But I’ve got to focus on myself, get my ranking money up. But I think me and Luke are okay for the World Cup!”
Littler admits much of his imminent celebration time will be spent in his bed after an emotionally-exhausting Ally Pally. He doesn’t know what’s next before he heads to the Middle East to defend his Bahrain Masters title as he said: “No idea. It’s been a long two, three weeks here in London. And I just can’t wait to go home, get in my own bed.
Just get my head down, get some sleep and then I know I’m finally going home. I’ll watch it [Final] probably by myself in my bedroom. It’ll probably be the same as last year. Leading up to the Bahrain Masters, I won’t pick the darts up.”