Luke Littler prepared for potential challenges at Winmau World Masters
Luke Littler has admitted he could be exposed at this week’s Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes, where the condensed format poses a genuine threat to the teenage sensation, reports BritPanorama.
The 19-year-old, who has claimed two world championship titles, recognises that his dominance in longer matches may count for little at Arena MK. “I’d say that,” Littler responded when asked whether he feels more susceptible in shorter events compared to the extended set-play at Alexandra Palace.
The tournament’s distinctive structure presents a particular challenge for players accustomed to marathon encounters. Opening round matches are decided over best-of-five sets, requiring players to win three sets to advance, with each set comprising merely three legs. This means a player winning the first six legs consecutively would seal victory and progress immediately.
Littler stated, “It’s a very quick format, but I’ll be ready for it. You’ve got to fly out the traps. But, we can only see what happens.” The format mirrors other short-form competitions, such as the World Series and Premier League, though Littler concedes that the rapid nature demands instant sharpness.
In a departure from his usual routine, the naturally gifted teenager has been putting in practice sessions at home ahead of the tournament. Littler typically prefers to throw his darts only upon arriving at venues but has altered this approach for his second appearance at the ranking event. He explained, “When I’m home, leading up to the Masters, that’s when I’ll practice. I’ll definitely be practising because it’s a title that I’ve not picked up yet and I definitely want to go to Milton Keynes and I want to become the Winmau champion.”
He meets Belgian Mike De Decker in Thursday’s opening round. Littler’s quest for the title comes 12 months after his campaign ended at the quarter-final stage, falling 4-2 to Jonny Clayton, who subsequently lost the final to Luke Humphries. Reflecting on his early performances last year against Andy Baetens and James Wade, he said, “The format is what it is. That’s what we’ve got to get used to. But, I’ll be more than ready.”
While stopping short of describing himself as fired up, Littler insisted he would be fully focused when competition begins at Arena MK. Amid the intense pressure of such a rapid format, he is keenly aware of the stakes involved. In a sport where precision reigns supreme, how he navigates these early rounds could define his journey through this year’s competition.
