The darts world is holding its breath as Luke Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy and reigning PDC World Champion, prepares for the 2025 Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp, Belgium, under a cloud of uncertainty. Just one day before boarding a flight to compete in the European Tour event, Littler underwent emergency dental surgery in Manchester on Thursday, August 28, to extract a troublesome tooth. The procedure, prompted by hours of excruciating pain, has left the young star “in shock and shaken,” casting doubt on his performance at the prestigious tournament, where a £30,000 top prize awaits.
Littler, the top seed at the Antwerp Xpo, is slated to face either Ireland’s Dylan Slevin or Belgium’s Francois Schweyen in the second round on Saturday, August 30, at 6:00 PM BST. As one of the 16 seeded players, he benefits from a first-round bye, but the unexpected dental ordeal has disrupted his preparation for a tournament he’s eager to conquer. Known for his meteoric rise and fearless play, Littler has been a dominant force in 2025, securing victories in his last three televised tournaments, including the Australian and New Zealand Darts Masters. His return to the European Tour—his first since April—carries high expectations, but the teenager’s candid reflections reveal a rare vulnerability. “In pain for hours and hours, so had to get tooth out,” Littler shared on his Instagram story. “Luckily they were able to do it and sort me out, but hopefully it’s all good for Saturday. I’ve never had this done and I don’t know how I’m going to be feeling, but right now I am in shock and shaken as I didn’t know what to expect.”
The Flanders Darts Trophy, running from August 29 to 31, is a star-studded affair, with heavyweights like Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting, and Gerwyn Price in the field. Littler’s path to a third European Tour title this year is fraught with challenges, especially given his recent ordeal. Last year, he fell in the third round to Dirk van Duijvenbode, a setback he’s determined to overcome. “Everyone knows I love Belgium, and hopefully I can play my best darts,” he said, expressing his affection for the passionate Antwerp crowd. Yet, he tempered expectations, adding a heartfelt plea to fans: “So don’t be saying I’m arrogant because I’m not. I’ve never had this done, and I don’t know how I’m gonna be feeling, but right now I’m in shock and shaken.” His words underscore the physical and emotional toll of the procedure, a stark contrast to his usual confidence at the oche.
Littler’s journey to Belgium is not the only dramatic subplot. Gerwyn Price, the 2020 world champion, is also battling adversity after a hospital stay earlier this week for an infected hand. The Welshman, who shared images of himself hooked to an IV drip, is determined to compete, eyeing back-to-back European Tour titles after his Baltic Sea Darts Open triumph in July. The resilience of these players highlights the grit required to compete at the highest level, but for Littler, the physical impact of his dental surgery could affect his precision—a critical factor in a sport where margins are razor-thin.
The tournament’s format, with best-of-11 legs in the early rounds, escalating to best-of-15 in the final, demands consistency and focus. Littler’s opponents, Slevin or Schweyen, are capable of explosive scoring, but the teenager’s track record suggests he thrives under pressure. His recent 138 checkout against Darryl Pilgrim and a deciding-leg victory over Beau Greaves at Players Championship 24 demonstrate his clutch mentality. Still, the aftereffects of anesthesia and potential discomfort could hinder his rhythm, particularly in high-stakes moments requiring pinpoint accuracy on doubles.
Littler’s openness about his condition has endeared him further to fans, and his gratitude shone through as he thanked the staff at Night and Day Emergency Dentist in Manchester and sent a loving message to his girlfriend, Faith, with whom he went public in July 2025. “I love you,” he wrote, a touching note amid the chaos of his preparation. As he boards his flight on Friday, Littler plans to keep a low profile, warning fans he might be withdrawn at the airport. “I’m just gonna have my AirPods in, and I’m gonna be doing my own thing,” he explained, preempting any misinterpretations of his demeanor.
The Antwerp Xpo will be electric as Littler steps up to the oche, with the Belgian crowd ready to roar for their favorites. Michael van Gerwen faces a tricky opener against Gian van Veen or Adam Gawlas, while Stephen Bunting, fresh off a Players Championship win, takes on Joe Cullen or Ian White. The absence of players like Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, and Gary Anderson, who opted out of the event, elevates Littler’s status as a favorite—provided he can overcome his physical setback.
As the darts world watches, Littler’s resilience will be tested. Can the young star channel his pain into another dazzling performance, or will the effects of his dental drama prove too much? With the semifinals and final looming on Sunday, August 31, every leg will count. For now, Littler’s focus is simple: recover, regroup, and let his darts do the talking in a city he loves.
Leave a Reply