At just 18, Luke Littler has already cemented himself as a darts prodigy, dazzling fans with his pinpoint precision and fearless flair. Fresh off his Flanders Darts Trophy victory, the young Englishman, known as “The Nuke,” arrived in Prague for the 2025 Czech Darts Open with his sights set on back-to-back European Tour titles. On Saturday night, he delivered a commanding 6-2 win over Scotland’s Cameron Menzies in the second round, advancing to the last 16 with an impressive average just shy of 99. Yet, despite his clinical performance, Littler was left grappling with an unexpected adversary: the swelteringly unbearable conditions at the PVA Expo’s oche, which he described as unlike anything he’d faced before.
The match itself was a showcase of Littler’s burgeoning dominance. Menzies, a formidable opponent who had earned his spot in the second round with a 6-3 upset over veteran Ian White, averaging over 100, was no pushover. The Scot, brimming with excitement to face Littler, called him “the best athlete in the world right now” before the match, admitting, “I’m absolutely buzzing to play him. He may absolutely leather me, but just to play him up here in this venue will be an experience.” Menzies managed to get on the board with a hold, briefly slowing Littler’s momentum, but the teenager’s precision proved too much. A clinical break in the eighth leg sealed the 6-2 victory, keeping Littler’s hopes alive for another title to add to his growing collection, which already includes the World Matchplay and both the Australian and New Zealand Darts Masters.
However, the stifling heat on stage stole some of the spotlight from Littler’s triumph. Stepping onto the oche, he was immediately struck by the oppressive conditions. “It felt very hot,” Littler confessed post-match, his candor revealing the challenge of maintaining focus under such discomfort. “As soon as you stepped on that first step, I was like: Wow, this is hot. It started off really well and then, as the game went on, it started to drop a bit under the treble. I thought Cammy was going to get into it, but I just had to get over the line.” His ability to push through the heat, both literal and competitive, underscored the resilience that has made him a standout in a sport dominated by seasoned veterans like Michael van Gerwen, who also advanced with a stunning 6-0 whitewash over Mike De Decker, boasting a 112.73 average.
Littler’s path to this victory was not without off-stage drama. The night before, a late arrival at his Prague hotel led to an unsettling encounter with an overzealous fan who grabbed him while he posed for photos, prompting a fiery response on social media. “Just came to the hotel in Prague, got a few pictures bearing in mind it’s 20 past 11 here,” he wrote. “Someone has grabbed me and wanted a picture, you don’t grab someone just ask nicely, how hard is it?” The incident, coupled with verbal jabs from another fan accusing him of “bad behaviour,” left Littler visibly frustrated, but he channeled that energy into his performance, proving his mental toughness matches his skill on the board.
The Czech Darts Open, a key stop on the European Tour, was a star-studded affair. World No. 1 Luke Humphries, defending his title, scraped through a scrappy 6-4 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode, while James Wade delivered five maximums to defeat Nathan Aspinall 6-3. The tournament’s intensity only heightened as Littler prepared to face Dutchman Gian van Veen in the next round, a matchup promising more fireworks. Littler’s ability to navigate both the heat of the stage and the pressure of expectation speaks to his meteoric rise since reaching the PDC World Championship final at 17 in 2024. Supported by his girlfriend, Faith Millar, who joined him on tour after his manager’s illness, Littler has leaned on a tight-knit circle to stay grounded amid his whirlwind career.
As he continues his quest for the £30,000 top prize in Prague, Littler’s performance against Menzies was a testament to his ability to rise above adversity—whether it’s a tough opponent, uncomfortable conditions, or unwanted fan interactions. “I’m pretty lucky that my girlfriend has come over,” he shared earlier this year, a nod to the personal support that keeps him steady. With the darts world watching, Littler’s blend of raw talent and unshakable focus ensures he remains a force to be reckoned with, heat or no heat, as he aims to cement his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
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