The darts world is still buzzing from the electrifying 2025 World Matchplay final in Blackpool, where 18-year-old prodigy Luke Littler outdueled veteran James Wade to claim the Phil Taylor Trophy and complete the sport’s coveted Triple Crown. The 18-13 thriller, marked by Littler’s 17 maximum 180s and a 107.24 average, showcased the teenager’s relentless scoring power against Wade’s clinical precision. However, the match’s aftermath ignited controversy when Wade, a 42-year-old darts legend known as ‘The Machine,’ left the stage before Littler’s trophy presentation, prompting accusations of disrespect from fans and pundits. Now, as the darts elite head to Wollongong for the Australian Darts Masters, Wade’s absence—alongside Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall—has raised eyebrows. The real reason behind his decision to skip the event reveals a mix of personal priorities and the toll of a grueling season.
The World Matchplay final was a showcase of darts at its finest. Wade, a former mechanic from Aldershot with 11 major titles, stormed to a 5-0 lead, leveraging his 44.8% checkout rate and 101.54 average. “I’m just done, I’m exhausted,” he had said after his marathon 20-18 semifinal win over Jonny Clayton, hinting at the physical and mental strain of the tournament. Littler, unfazed, clawed back with a nine-darter-inspired surge, leveling at 5-5 and taking the lead at 7-6. “I think James started to drop off a bit and I started to find my best darts,” Littler reflected, underscoring his ability to seize momentum. Despite Wade’s valiant efforts, including a 95 checkout to close the gap at 14-13, Littler’s 115 finish sealed the victory, earning him £200,000 and a place among darts’ elite alongside Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries.
Wade’s swift exit from the Winter Gardens stage drew immediate backlash. “Nice to see Wade stay on stage to watch Littler lift the trophy. Not!” one fan posted online, while another branded him “a bit of a p***k.” Sky Sports pundits Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy weighed in, with Bridge clarifying, “I got it clarified that there was no issues with Luke or the crowd or anything like that. He was just angry at himself.” Murphy, however, called the move “disrespectful,” urging Wade to “stand there for a minute and applaud, and then say, ‘I don’t want to talk.’” The criticism was tempered by Littler’s revelation of Wade’s gracious words post-match: “He said, ‘Well played, brilliant tournament and well done to you.’ He’s definitely got a lot better since the UK Open.” Wade’s earlier 11-2 loss to Littler at the UK Open had been a humbling experience, with Wade admitting, “He absolutely smashed me to bits!”
The Australian Darts Masters, the sixth leg of the 2025 World Series of Darts, features a star-studded field with Littler, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, and debutants Josh Rock and Mike De Decker. Yet, Wade’s absence, alongside van Gerwen and Aspinall, is conspicuous. The trio’s decision to skip the Oceanic double-header stems not from controversy but from a need for respite. The darts calendar, with its relentless European Tour events and Premier League fixtures, offers few breaks. Wade, a family man with a passion for fishing and mechanics, chose to prioritize quality time with his wife Sammi and their children, opting for a trip to Disneyland Paris over the long journey to Wollongong. “Morning all, we have had the best family holiday away at Disneyland Paris,” he shared, emphasizing the trip’s importance. “Thanks for such a great time!! We all loved it and it was very well needed.”
Wade’s choice reflects a broader trend among top players. Van Gerwen, reeling from a second-round Matchplay exit, jetted off to Tomorrowland in Belgium and a Caribbean cruise, while Aspinall also took time off. “Quality time in Ibiza,” van Gerwen posted, capturing the sentiment of seizing rare downtime. Wade’s decision, while disappointing to Australian fans, underscores the human side of a sport that demands constant travel and performance under pressure. His history of emotional moments—such as a bizarre neck-licking incident with Luke Humphries at the UK Open or passing wind during a match against Peter Wright—shows a player unafraid to be himself, even at the cost of occasional controversy.
As Littler prepares to face New Zealand’s Haupai Puha in Wollongong, aiming to add a World Series title to his Triple Crown, Wade’s absence is a reminder of the sport’s grueling demands. Ranked world No. 5 with a strong 2025, including finals at the UK Open and Matchplay, Wade remains a formidable force. “I still think it’s laughable that people don’t think I can win things,” he said earlier this year, a defiance that fuels his longevity. For now, though, ‘The Machine’ is recharging, trading the oche for family memories, with his sights set on future battles.
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