Luke Littler, the 17-year-old darts prodigy, has been warned that the pressure is mounting as he heads into the lucrative £650,000 Grand Slam of Darts. Despite a meteoric rise in his career over the last 12 months, the darts sensation has been reminded that his form in televised events has yet to fully reflect his immense potential. Littler’s spectacular performances in certain events have set the bar high, but there are still areas of his game that need fine-tuning if he is to solidify his place among the elite.
Littler’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of remarkable. Just last winter, he stunned the darts world by reaching the final of the prestigious World Darts Championship, a rare feat for a player so young. He followed that up with a remarkable victory in his Premier League debut, showcasing his flair, poise, and ability to perform under pressure. However, for all his brilliance, he has not yet been able to translate that form into success at some of the other major televised tournaments, most notably the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix, where he suffered early exits in both competitions.
### Pressure Mounts for the Teenager
The upcoming Grand Slam of Darts, set to take place in Wolverhampton, will be a huge opportunity for Littler to prove himself on a bigger stage. The Grand Slam, which is one of the most prestigious events in the sport, offers a substantial £650,000 prize fund, and Littler has been drawn in a challenging group alongside Dimitri van den Bergh, Keane Barry, and Lourence Ilagan. While the teenager’s talent is undeniable, darts professional Matt Edgar has highlighted two key challenges that Littler needs to overcome if he is to rise to the occasion and justify the hype that surrounds him.
In a recent discussion on the *Love the Darts* podcast, Edgar offered his insight into Littler’s situation, noting that the young star has shown the ability to shine in high-profile tournaments, but has struggled to consistently perform in ranking TV events. “I don’t think you can look past Luke and Dimitri. But I do have reservations about Luke on the basis that, when we look at his TV form… it’s not TV form full-stop because he’s won the Premier League and World Series events,” Edgar said.
While Littler’s victory in the Premier League and strong performances in the World Series have undeniably solidified his reputation, Edgar points out that the 17-year-old’s record in the traditional ranking TV events leaves room for improvement. “He should already be in the top 16,” Edgar said, referring to the official PDC rankings. “He’s gone out in the first round of all of them. If he had just won a game, he would be in the top 16 already.”
This assessment highlights an important area where Littler needs to improve: his ability to perform in the most competitive environments. For all his success, it’s clear that consistency in ranking tournaments will be vital if he is to establish himself as one of the sport’s true elite players.
### Added Pressure: The “Love/Hate” Relationship with Fans
Another layer of pressure for Littler heading into the Grand Slam of Darts comes from the changing dynamic in how fans perceive him. Edgar points out that while Littler has garnered legions of fans who want to see him succeed, there is now a growing contingent of spectators who want him to fail—a reflection of the natural progression that comes with success in the sport.
“There are just a couple of question marks there,” Edgar continued. “And let’s just say, there are lots of people who want him to do well – but now there are people who don’t want him to do well because he’s become that guy.”
In many ways, Littler’s rise to prominence mirrors that of other sports stars who have become polarizing figures due to their talent and success. Much like Gerwyn Price before him, Littler has become a player who is capable of drawing intense emotion from fans—whether they are cheering for him or hoping for his downfall. Edgar sees this as a sign of the sport’s growth, noting that it is a positive thing for darts when players manage to evoke such strong reactions.
“We’re wrestling fans, and we know that if you can draw emotion from someone, whether you want them to win or you want them to lose, you’re doing a great job,” Edgar said. “Luke Littler is probably the first person since Gerwyn Price… who has managed to draw that [emotion from fans]. The sport is going in a good way with Luke in there but I would like to see him start winning in the ranking events.”
### A Million-Pound Year in the Making
Despite these challenges, Littler’s year has been a financial and competitive success, with the teenager already amassing £870,000 in prize money—largely thanks to his triumph in the Premier League. If he were to win the Grand Slam of Darts, he could potentially break the £1 million mark in prize money for the year, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s brightest prospects.
At just 17, Littler has the potential to become one of the most successful darts players in the world, but the next step in his development is crucial. With the Grand Slam of Darts just around the corner, he has a huge opportunity to prove his doubters wrong and show that he has the mental toughness to back up his considerable talent.
### What’s Next for Littler?
As the Grand Slam of Darts approaches, all eyes will be on Littler. His group stage opponents, Dimitri van den Bergh, Keane Barry, and Lourence Ilagan, will certainly provide a tough test, but it’s a challenge that Littler has the ability to rise to. His performance in televised events so far has been mixed, but his remarkable potential is undeniable. With Edgar’s words ringing in his ears, Littler will no doubt be eager to prove that he belongs among the sport’s elite and has the consistency and resilience to match his remarkable natural ability.
Whether or not he can silence the critics and claim the Grand Slam title, one thing is for sure: the darts world will be watching, and Luke Littler is a name that’s already on the lips of fans and pundits alike.