Former World Darts Champion Dennis Priestley has sent a strong message to rising star Luke Littler, urging the young talent to emulate Phil Taylor’s relentless winning mentality if he wants to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Littler, a teenage sensation who has already made waves on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit, has recently faced some setbacks, prompting Priestley to offer advice that could be crucial for the 17-year-old’s long-term success.
### **Littler’s Recent Struggles on the Oche**
Littler’s rise in the world of darts has been nothing short of remarkable. At just 17, he has already broken into the world’s top 20, a feat that speaks volumes about his potential and talent. He’s claimed five ranking titles in his debut season as a PDC Tour Card holder, and has even triumphed in prestigious events such as the Premier League, World Series Finals, Poland Masters, and Bahrain Masters. However, despite his early success, Littler has found himself struggling in recent weeks.
His World Grand Prix debut in Leicester last week saw him knocked out in the first round by Rob Cross, a former PDC World Champion. This marked Littler’s second consecutive first-round exit in a PDC major tournament, following a similar defeat earlier in the season. Adding to his recent woes, Littler also suffered back-to-back second-round exits on the ProTour during midweek competitions.
These losses have raised concerns about whether Littler’s focus has been drifting, and Priestley believes that this dip in form could be attributed to distractions outside the sport. Speaking to BoyleSports, Priestley noted that Littler may be allowing external factors, such as video games and other hobbies, to impact his concentration and performance on the oche.
### **Priestley’s Advice: Follow the Footsteps of Phil Taylor**
Dennis Priestley, a two-time world champion who made history as the only player to win both the BDO and PDC World Championships on his first attempt, believes that Littler has all the tools necessary to become a dominant force in darts. However, to achieve that, Priestley stressed the importance of adopting the same mentality that made Phil Taylor, widely regarded as the greatest darts player of all time, so successful.
“It looks that way for Luke [getting distracted by things away from the oche like video games],” Priestley said. “He’s not that good to be able to take things for granted. The more times he keeps getting beaten, the more it’s going to affect his confidence.”
Priestley emphasized that Littler needs to develop a winning aura, similar to what Taylor possessed during his reign at the top of the sport. Taylor, known for his unmatched focus and mental strength, set the standard for modern darts with his 16 world titles and numerous other accolades. His ability to maintain his form and hunger for success year after year was what separated him from the rest.
“Phil set the bar very high, followed by Michael van Gerwen, so Luke needs to produce year after year,” Priestley added. “In the modern day, there’s more money to be won, so that’s where Luke needs to have Taylor’s mentality.”
For Littler, adopting Taylor’s mindset means putting in the hard work, staying disciplined, and not letting success or distractions affect his performance. Priestley also suggested that Littler could benefit from reaching out to Taylor himself for advice, learning directly from the man who dominated the sport for over two decades.
“If Littler feels he needs some advice, it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to Phil. He has to have that mentality if he wants to be thought of as one of the best players of all time,” Priestley said.
### **Littler’s Potential and Upcoming Challenges**
Despite his recent struggles, there is no denying that Littler has already achieved remarkable success in his young career. Breaking into the top 20 in the world rankings in his first season on the tour is no small feat, and his collection of titles speaks to his immense talent. However, Priestley’s warning about complacency is timely, as the pressures of professional darts can be relentless, especially for someone so young.
Littler is set to make his debut at the European Championship later this month, a tournament that will give him another opportunity to showcase his talent on a big stage. He will also compete in November’s Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals, before returning to the iconic Alexandra Palace—home of the PDC World Darts Championship—where he will aim to better his runner-up finish from his debut appearance.
For Littler, these upcoming tournaments represent a critical juncture in his career. A strong showing could boost his confidence and propel him back into the winner’s circle, while further early exits could start to erode the momentum he has built over the past year. Priestley’s advice to maintain focus and adopt a champion’s mentality could be the key to navigating this crucial period.
### **The Path Ahead: Learning from the Greats**
Luke Littler is undoubtedly one of the brightest prospects in darts, but talent alone won’t be enough to sustain long-term success in a sport as competitive as this. As Dennis Priestley rightly pointed out, Littler must now focus on building the mental resilience and winning mindset that defined players like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
With several major tournaments on the horizon, Littler has a chance to prove that he has what it takes to not only compete at the highest level but to dominate it. By learning from the greats and staying focused, he can continue his meteoric rise and establish himself as one of the best players in the world.
Whether he heeds Priestley’s advice and reaches out to Taylor for guidance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: if Littler can adopt the mentality of a champion, there’s no telling how far he can go in the world of darts.