Luke Littler skips Pro Tour events in Wigan amid health struggles
Luke Littler is giving this week’s Pro Tour events in Wigan a miss, staying true to his word about cutting back on his playing schedule amid health struggles, reports BritPanorama.
The 19-year-old former world champion had previously indicated he would step away from lower-tier competitions after his triumph in the Players Championship Finals in Minehead last November. It’s not just Wigan he is skipping; Littler also withdrew from the opening two Pro Tour tournaments in Germany last week.
With the Premier League and other major titles demanding his attention, these floor events have evidently fallen lower on his priority list this year. Littler, known for his candid views, has expressed a clear disdain for non-televised competitions, stating in November, “Everyone knows I hate the Pro Tours. All you hear is squeaky chairs and people chatting. I love the stage, I love producing it, especially when I’m playing like that.”
His decision to sit out comes after a challenging performance in the Premier League, where he suffered a 6-4 defeat to Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals. Following the match, Littler remarked, “A bit of flu going on but this is darts, we’ve just got to get on with it,” adding that his game was still strong despite health issues.
The Pro Tour events contribute not only to ranking points but also provide a path to the Players Championship Finals. Winning at these competitions is vital for securing seeding for the lucrative £600,000 showpiece, which further anchors their competitive importance.
Interestingly, Littler isn’t the only notable player absent from this week’s fixtures in Wigan; Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson are also skipping the events. Their absence underscores a rare moment where several top players are missing from lower-tier competitions, affecting fan engagement and the competitive landscape.
As Littler navigates his health challenges and priorities in the sport this season, the balancing act of competing at the highest level remains ever-pressing. With major tournaments looming, his strategic withdrawal raises questions about the demands on elite athletes and the perennial struggle to maintain health alongside competitive ambition.
