In the electrifying world of professional darts, where precision meets raw ambition under the bright lights of packed arenas, a veteran voice has ignited a fiery debate about the sport’s brightest young star. Luke Littler, the 19-year-old phenomenon who continues to rewrite records at an astonishing pace, has just claimed yet another major title—successfully defending his UK Open crown in Minehead last weekend. It marked the first time in a decade any player has achieved back-to-back victories in the prestigious event, with the Warrington whizkid powering past James Wade 11-7 in a gripping final to pocket a cool £120,000 and stretch his lead atop the world rankings.
But amid the celebrations, Dutch darts stalwart Vincent van der Voort has stepped forward with a pointed critique that cuts straight to the heart of Littler’s unstoppable rise. Speaking on his Darts Draait Door podcast just days after the triumph, the former UK Open runner-up from 2007 didn’t hold back. He’s grown weary of watching the teenage sensation dominate match after match, yet he insists the blame doesn’t lie with Littler himself. Instead, van der Voort points the finger squarely at the top players who seem to wilt before the challenge even begins.
“I’m getting a bit fed up with it now,” van der Voort admitted candidly. “But it’s not his fault. I find it more worrying that the top players don’t show up against him. That bothers me more.” He painted a vivid picture of opponents who appear mentally defeated from the outset, as if already resigned to defeat. “I don’t know if it’s that they’re already lying on their backs thinking: you’ve won. But none of them play their best match against him. That is worrying. You should at least feel he’s being pushed to the limit. And if he’s still better, fine. But he doesn’t even have to play that well to win.”
The 12-time PDC major winner’s latest conquest only amplified these concerns. Littler, fresh off his first nightly win of the current Premier League season just three days earlier, didn’t even need to summon his absolute peak form to lift the trophy. In fact, during several early rounds at the UK Open, his averages dipped below 95—including a modest 93.68 in a fifth-round clash against Kevin Doets, which he still navigated to a 10-8 victory after the Dutchman had stormed into a 2-0 lead by breaking throw early. Against Damon Heta in the fourth round, Littler managed just 94.41, yet emerged unscathed.
Van der Voort zeroed in on these moments as evidence of a deeper issue plaguing the elite ranks. “He really wasn’t at his best. They didn’t show up. And when I hear the interviews, Littler gets so many compliments again,” he observed. “Then I think: we need players who genuinely want to beat him.” The Dutch Destroyer, as he’s known, emphasized that without fierce, uncompromising competition, the pathway to glory becomes suspiciously straightforward for the world No. 1. “We need more players like that. Players who can bring their best level against him. Otherwise it’s made far too easy for him.”
Not everyone falls into this category in van der Voort’s eyes. He singled out Welsh firebrand Gerwyn Price as a rare exception—a competitor who approaches every encounter with unyielding hunger. “Then you end up with Price. He’s got it. He wants to win at all costs. Shame he didn’t reach the final,” van der Voort noted, highlighting how Price embodies the mentality the sport desperately needs to keep Littler honest. This praise sets up an intriguing subplot: Littler and Price are slated to collide in the quarter-finals of Premier League night six in Nottingham on Thursday night, with the winner advancing to face either Luke Humphries or Gian van Veen in the semis. Fans could witness exactly the kind of high-octane battle van der Voort craves.
This isn’t just about one tournament or a single podcast rant—it’s a reflection of Littler’s broader stranglehold on the PDC circuit. At just 19, the teenage sensation has already amassed an extraordinary trophy haul, including this latest defense that underscores his maturity beyond his years. He weathered early pressure at the UK Open, where opponents briefly threatened to capitalize on his uncharacteristically human performances, only for Littler to steady the ship with clinical finishing and unbreakable composure. Doets, for instance, hovered around a 90 average for much of their encounter before pushing to 97, yet couldn’t seize the initiative. “That’s the pressure,” van der Voort explained. “He sat around a 90 average for a long time and ended on 97. Littler was only around 93, but even then he couldn’t pull away. They can hold themselves accountable for that. He wasn’t even brilliant this tournament. You had the sense he was there for the taking. But if everyone fails to play the game they want against him, he still wins. Then you see he’s so far ahead of the rest.”
The implications ripple far beyond Minehead. Darts thrives on rivalry, drama, and the thrill of underdogs rising to the occasion. Littler’s meteoric ascent has electrified the sport, drawing massive crowds and new fans worldwide, but van der Voort’s words serve as a wake-up call: genuine challengers must step up, not just in averages or tactics, but in raw desire. Without that fire, the narrative risks becoming predictable, diminishing the magic that makes every arrow count.
As the Premier League rolls into Nottingham, all eyes will turn to whether Price can deliver that elusive push, or if another rival will finally answer the call. Littler remains the undisputed king for now, but the call for warriors who truly crave victory could reshape the battles ahead. In a game built on 180s and double outs, the real test isn’t just hitting the board—it’s having the heart to stare down the phenomenon and refuse to blink. The darts world is watching, and the pressure is mounting for someone, anyone, to genuinely step into the arena ready to dethrone the prodigy.
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