Luke Littler opens up about darts issues and private chat with manager

Luke Littler has confessed that managing his gruelling schedule has proved one of the most challenging elements of his remarkable ascent in darts. The Nuke, 18, has recently added another major trophy to his expanding collection after winning the World Matchplay title for the first time.

Littler defeated James Wade 18-13 in the final to become the youngest player ever to complete darts' Triple Crown, which also encompasses the World Championship and the Premier League. The Warrington thrower has also captured the Grand Slam of Darts and the UK Open since exploding onto the scene as a 16-year-old at the 2023/24 World Championship. Littler has already finished two Premier League campaigns - triumphing in one and reaching the final in the other - which places enormous pressure on participating players, as nights frequently come before European Tour events. To lighten his burden, the teenager occasionally withdraws from tournaments.

He told the Mirror: "I pull out of tournaments to give me two free days off because it can be tough, especially when the Premier League's on.

"You don't get many days off from February up until May. It's just about managing the schedule and not overdoing it. At the start of the year, me and my manager put everything in the calendar so we know what's coming.

"So if I'm worn out or tired from a Euro Tour - you come back on a Sunday, then there's Pro Tours [Players Championship tournaments] on Monday, Tuesday - you're not going to do them. It's all about managing the schedule, focusing on yourself and not tiring yourself out."

Amidst a whirlwind of media and PR duties, Littler barely has a moment to dwell on his recent triumphs. With a packed schedule that soon takes him to Australia and New Zealand for World Series events, he admits there's little time for reflection.

He said: "There's not enough time to sit back and look at what I've done. When I've got a week off, I don't want to be sat down analysing what I've done in the past. I know what I've done, I can see the trophies in my living room. It's about living in the moment."

After the World Series, which concludes in September, Littler and his rivals will gear up for a series of major tournaments leading up to the expanded 128-player World Championship, which starts on December 11.

He said: "Everyone wants to win the majors before the Worlds. I want to go back-to-back in the Grand Slam [which he won last year] and do well at the Grand Prix."

Littler has teamed up with KP for the 'Nuts for Darts' campaign, which will see one lucky pub win an appearance from the world champion, who will spend an evening at the victorious boozer and throw some arrows with regulars.

Littler said: "We need people to go to their landlords and get them to enter to get an appearance from me in their own pub. It's a brilliant idea by KP."

KP Nuts 'are giving one lucky pub the chance to win an appearance from Luke Littler as part of the 'Nuts for Darts' campaign. Rally your landlord to pick up a promotional pub cards to enter from 11th August.