Luke Littler vows to retire if he wins 16 World Championship titles
Luke Littler has announced that he will retire from darts if he secures 16 World Championship titles in a row. The world number one delivered an exceptional average of 113.68 in his match against Nathan Aspinall at the Winter Gardens during the World Matchplay, proceeding to a quarter-final showdown with Josh Rock, reports BritPanorama.
Littler also impressed with a remarkable nine-darter in the opening leg of the match, ultimately defeating Aspinall 11-8. Aspinall performed admirably throughout, but the 19-year-old Littler’s skill proved dominant.
Reflecting on his ambitions, Littler mentioned that achieving Phil Taylor’s unparalleled record of 15 World Championships would prompt his exit from the sport. “I’ve always said unless I win 16 World Championships and everything else that Phil has won, then I can’t say I’m the greatest,” he stated. “If I win 16 World Championships in a row, I’m gone. If I don’t win 16 in a row? I’ll stick around another 10 years.”
Currently, Littler has withdrawn from all 24 Players Championship events this season, which has placed him outside the top 64 necessary for qualifying for Minehead. He acknowledged the criticism surrounding his absence but emphasized the inevitable scrutiny that comes with any decision he makes.
“There are two ways people will look at it,” he explained. “I’ll either get grilled for not going, or I’ll get absolutely grilled if I don’t qualify. If I pick up the trophy, who knows what I’ll do?” Despite the challenges, Littler remains a heavy favourite to win the World Matchplay, especially with notable players such as Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen already eliminated from the tournament.
As the tournament progresses, other contenders include Dirk van Duijvenbode, who faces Gary Anderson, Ross Smith against Gerwyn Price, and Gian van Veen playing James Wade. The landscape of this year’s World Matchplay continues to evolve, showcasing the fierce competition within the sport.
In the world of darts, Littler’s bold statements resonate deeply, reflecting both ambition and the weight of expectations. How the future unfolds remains uncertain, but for now, he stands on the precipice of darting history.
