The darts world is still buzzing from the electrifying 2025 Premier League final at London’s O2 Arena, where 18-year-old prodigy Luke Littler fell short in his bid to defend his title, losing 11-8 to world No. 1 Luke Humphries. The defeat marked a rare moment of disappointment for Littler, who has dominated headlines with his meteoric rise, including becoming the youngest World Darts Championship winner in January 2025. Amid the fallout, darts legend Phil Taylor, the 16-time world champion, has reignited concerns about the sport’s punishing schedule, calling it “very tiring” and warning that it could take a toll on young stars like Littler and even seasoned players like Humphries, who admitted to feeling “jaded” after his victory.
Littler, known as ‘The Nuke,’ entered the final as a favorite after a stellar debut season that saw him claim the Premier League, Grand Slam of Darts, and World Series Finals, amassing over £1 million in prize money. His 2024 Premier League triumph made him the youngest player to win the title, but Humphries, avenging his loss from the previous year, showcased his resilience in a thrilling 11-8 victory. The match was a testament to their growing rivalry, with Humphries noting, “The best sports have a rivalry, and we bring out the best in each other.” Despite Littler’s defeat, his performance was far from lackluster, as he maintained an impressive average and hit multiple 180s. However, the relentless pace of the professional circuit—weekly Premier League nights, international tournaments, and Pro Tour events—left him visibly exhausted, a concern echoed by Taylor.
Taylor, who retired from competitive darts in 2018, has been vocal about the sport’s demanding nature, drawing from his own experience of dominating the oche for over three decades. “It’s very tiring,” Taylor said, reflecting on the grueling travel and performance schedule that players face. “You’re playing Thursday to Sunday, sometimes flying out the next day for another tournament. It’s relentless.” His comments come in the wake of Littler’s candid admission about his own fatigue, having revealed on the Stick to Football podcast that he sometimes doesn’t practice between tournaments due to the packed calendar. “We have the Premier League on a Thursday, and usually we’re flying somewhere on Friday for an international tournament,” Littler explained. “My practice is playing in these tournaments every week.”
The schedule’s toll isn’t unique to Littler. Humphries, who completed darts’ triple crown with his Premier League, World Championship, and World Matchplay titles, admitted to feeling drained. “It felt hard work,” he said after his O2 Arena triumph, tears of relief glistening in his eyes. “You’re away from home for so long to get these trophies.” Humphries credited Taylor for offering crucial advice in the weeks leading up to the final, though he kept the details private, saying only, “Phil, if you’re watching, thank you. He gave me a lot of advice and that extra support.” Taylor’s mentorship highlights his continued influence, even as he transitions to roles like promoting energy-efficient thermal blinds, a far cry from his days as ‘The Power’ on the dartboard.
The debate over the darts calendar has sparked wider concern, with former players like Nathan Aspinall predicting that Littler could burn out within five years. “He’s already getting fed up with playing and travelling all the time,” Aspinall told TalkSPORT, though Littler quickly dismissed the claim, asserting, “I’ll be here in 10 years. It’s crazy to even think about retiring.” Taylor, however, offered practical advice for Littler to cope with the grind, emphasizing rest and preparation. “Make sure you get enough rest,” Taylor advised. “I still take a mattress topper with me everywhere because some hotel beds are like sleeping in the middle of the road.” He also stressed the importance of comfortable shoes to endure long hours on stage, a tip born from years of navigating the sport’s physical demands.
Littler’s ambition remains sky-high, with his sights set on Taylor’s record of 16 World Championship titles. “If I want the 16, then I’m sure I could possibly achieve it,” Littler said after his world title win, acknowledging the challenge but exuding confidence. Taylor, while hopeful Littler won’t surpass him, conceded, “If there’s anybody that could do it, it’s this young lad now. He’s got the ability, and he’s got age on his side.” Yet, the legend cautioned that sustaining such dominance requires sacrifices, noting Littler’s humility and focus on family as strengths that could carry him far.
As Littler and Humphries prepare to team up for England at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt from June 12 to 15, 2025, the darts world braces for the next chapter in their rivalry. Littler’s disappointment in London is a mere blip in a career poised for greatness, but Taylor’s warning serves as a reminder that even the brightest stars must navigate the sport’s exhausting demands to shine long-term. With the PDC’s prize money soaring—£1 million for the next World Championship winner—the stakes are higher than ever, but so is the risk of burnout for darts’ new generation.
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