Darts star Nathan Aspinall has made a bold prediction that 18-year-old world champion Luke Littler, reportedly “fed up” with the sport’s relentless travel and schedule, could retire from darts within five years to pursue a career in social media. Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Aspinall said, “I think he’ll be off in about five years. He’s already getting fed up with playing and travelling all the time, and he’s only been doing it 12 months.” This claim, following Littler’s historic 2025 PDC World Darts Championship win at age 17, aligns with the French Open’s themes of pressure and resilience, seen in Carlos Alcaraz’s media rebuttal and Ons Jabeur’s scheduling rant, while highlighting concerns about Littler’s longevity in darts.
Littler’s Meteoric Rise and Current Struggles
Littler, dubbed “Luke the Nuke,” became the youngest PDC World Champion in January 2025, defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3, breaking van Gerwen’s record set at age 24. His 2024 season included a Premier League title, a Grand Slam win, and a record-breaking 140.91 set average at the World Championship. With 1.9 million Instagram followers—nearly double the combined following of van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price—and YouTube collaborations with social media star Angryginge (Morgan Burtwistle), Littler’s off-board presence is significant. However, Aspinall pointed to Littler’s frustration with the professional circuit’s demands, noting, “He does a lot on YouTube… I can see him going down that path.”
Littler himself has hinted at early retirement, telling The Times in February 2024, “I might just do 10 or 15 years and retire, if I’ve had enough,” suggesting he could quit by 27. On Huw Ware’s Tops and Tales podcast in February 2025, he reiterated, “I could wake up and retire tomorrow” if the “fire goes out.” These comments, coupled with a third-round loss to Joe Cullen at the 2025 Players Championship, where Littler hit back at critics on social media, indicate potential burnout.
Concerns About Burnout and Support
Mental health expert Dr. Linda Duffy, speaking to Tungsten Tales, warned that Littler risks burnout without proper support, stating, “There’s a risk he’ll walk away within five years because he’s completely burned out.” She praised Littler’s manager for prioritizing rest, a critical factor given his seven-figure earnings and sponsorships with BoohooMan and Target Darts. Eddie Hearn expressed similar concerns in 2024, noting that Littler’s sponsorship deals could be “too much too soon.” The Globe and Mail compared Littler to Emma Raducanu, whose career has faced challenges post-US Open 2021, highlighting the perils of prodigious fame.
French Open Parallels and Resilience
Littler’s situation mirrors pressures faced by French Open 2025 players. Alcaraz’s blunt dismissal of a quitting narrative reflects Littler’s need to combat media speculation. Jabeur’s rant against sexist scheduling parallels Littler’s visibility struggles, as his social media presence outshines his darts commitments. De Minaur’s fight for every point echoes Littler’s on-stage intensity, but off-stage, his YouTube activities and friendship with Angryginge suggest a pull toward a different career. Fans on X see potential in this shift.
Conclusion
Nathan Aspinall’s claim that Luke Littler, “fed up” with darts’ demands, could retire within five years for a social media career underscores concerns about the 18-year-old’s sustainability as the 2025 PDC World Champion. Littler’s own retirement hints and burnout warnings from experts like Dr. Duffy highlight the pressure on the prodigy. Like Alcaraz’s media pushback and Jabeur’s advocacy at the French Open, Littler’s potential pivot reflects resilience amid scrutiny, with his 1.9 million Instagram followers positioning him for a digital future.
