Luke Littler’s Meteoric Rise in His Own Words: “Look at Him Crying”
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy, has taken the sport by storm, transitioning from a relatively unknown teenager to a global sensation in just 18 months. Reflecting on his journey ahead of the 2025 Premier League Darts Play-Offs on May 29, 2025, where he faces Gerwyn Price in the semi-final, Littler shared insights into his career through iconic moments, including his emotional 2025 World Championship win, where he remarked, “Look at him crying there!” This article captures his rise in his own words, drawing from a BBC Sport interview and other reflections.
From Obscurity to Alexandra Palace
Rewind to December 2023, and Littler was a 16-year-old debutant at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship. Facing Christian Kist in his opening match, he averaged 106, a sign of things to come. “My first ever World Championships, as a 16-year-old boy,” Littler recalled. He stunned former champions Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross, becoming the youngest finalist at 16 years and 347 days. Though he lost 7-4 to Luke Humphries, missing a crucial double two to lead 5-2, Littler’s sportsmanship shone through: “I said to him, ‘Go over to your family, go and celebrate.’ That year I was happy to win my first game. To get to the final was a massive boost.” The run earned him £200,000 and a Premier League spot, skyrocketing him to No. 30 in the PDC Order of Merit.
World Champion at 17: “Look at Him Crying”
Littler’s defining moment came at the 2025 World Championship, where he defeated Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest champion at 17 years and 347 days. The victory, earning him £500,000 and the Sid Waddell Trophy, left him in tears. “Look at him crying there! Yeah, one of the biggest achievements of my career so far,” he told BBC Sport. “You could see there that I still couldn’t believe it. Even the first game against Ryan Meikle was hard enough. To beat a very good Michael van Gerwen in the final… it meant everything.” The emotional weight was palpable; Littler later shared with Talksport that nerves hit him hard against Meikle: “As soon as the question came on stage, the tears came. It was just a bit too much.” His win pushed his career earnings past £1 million and his ranking to No. 2, behind Humphries.
Premier League Dominance and Crowd Antics
Littler’s 2024 Premier League debut was a triumph, culminating in an 11-7 final win over Humphries, sealed with a nine-darter. “I didn’t have to wait long to win my first major PDC title,” he said. In 2025, he set records with 45 points and six nightly wins, including Sheffield’s 6-3 victory over Humphries. His flair for engaging crowds, especially hostile ones, became a hallmark. In Leeds, booed for his Manchester United fandom, Littler mocked fans with crying gestures after hitting double 10 against Nathan Aspinall. “It depends on how the fans react, but I’ll always give it back,” he said. Though warned by former world No. 1 Colin Lloyd that such antics could “come back to haunt him,” Littler thrived, topping the table.
Personal Touches and Emotional Depth
Beyond the oche, Littler’s personality shines. A devoted Manchester United fan, he met Bruno Fernandes and Sir Alex Ferguson, calling it “crazy.” “Bruno’s one of my favourite players. He’s helped us avoid relegation!” he laughed. His hometown rugby league club, Warrington Wolves, renamed their stadium “The Luke Littler Stadium” for a match after his world title. Littler’s walk-on song, Pitbull’s “Greenlight,” reflects his bold energy. Yet, his emotional side surfaced in 2024 at the German Darts Championship, where he cried after losing to Peter Wright, tributing a friend’s late father: “I’ve known Ellis since we were three or four. It’s been on my mind all week.” He clarified on Instagram, “Not looking for sympathy, just trying to say how my best mate lost his dad.”
Parallels and Future Ambitions
Littler’s rise, marked by tears and triumphs, mirrors Gerwyn Price’s redemption, Alex de Minaur’s ATP reform call, and Fallon Sherrock’s health-focused resolve. Like Alexander Zverev’s watch gamble or Emma Raducanu’s grit, Littler’s journey blends youth and pressure. He eyes the World Matchplay next but remains focused: “I’m looking at the Premier League now.” Facing Price, who leads 7-2 in 2025, Littler’s new darts and 103.00 season average signal readiness. “I’m performing better than these guys,” he told Darts Post, hinting at claiming the “best in the world” mantle.
Conclusion
Luke Littler’s rise, in his words, is a tale of raw talent and raw emotion, from crying over a £250,000 World Championship win to mocking crowds in Leeds, Littler’s journey captivates. “Look at him crying,” he said of his world title, a moment that defined his 2025. With a £275,000 Premier League prize at stake against Price on May 29, 2025, his confidence and charisma echo Price, de Minaur, Sherrock, Zverev, and Raducanu. Littler’s story, still unfolding, promises more tears and triumphs. Watch live on Sky Sports at 7:00 PM BST.
