Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy known as “The Nuke,” has taken the sport by storm, becoming the youngest player to complete the PDC Triple Crown with his 2025 World Matchplay victory. However, in an exclusive interview with The Mirror on July 31, 2025, Littler revealed he might step away from darts in about a decade, potentially before he turns 30, with plans to return later. “That’s what everyone’s probably thinking, what do I do after I’ve won one of everything?… I won’t pack it in just yet. In the next 16 years, I might come back every year and just win it,” he said, hinting at a break around his late 20s followed by a comeback to chase more titles.
Littler’s meteoric rise includes winning the 2025 PDC World Championship, Premier League, World Matchplay, Grand Slam of Darts, and UK Open, amassing 15 PDC titles and over £1 million in prize money. His World Matchplay triumph over James Wade (18-13) in July 2025 marked him as the youngest Triple Crown winner, fueling speculation about challenging Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles. Yet, Littler admitted the sport’s grueling schedule—covering Premier League nights, international tournaments like the upcoming Australian Masters, and Pro Tours—leaves little time for reflection. “There’s not enough time to sit back and look at what I’ve done. When I’ve got a week off, I don’t want to be sat down analysing what I’ve done in the past. I know what I’ve done, I can see the trophies in my living room,” he told The Mirror.
The intense demands of the darts calendar, which he described as relentless on the Stick to Football podcast, contribute to his consideration of a future break. “We have the Premier League on a Thursday and usually, we’re then flying somewhere on the Friday for an international tournament, so you’re playing Thursday to Sunday. On Monday and Tuesday, we tend to have pro tours,” he noted. This echoes sentiments from peers like Luke Humphries, who in April 2025 called the schedule a “chore” that left him “emotionless.” Littler’s minimal practice routine—sometimes not touching a dart between tournaments—highlights his natural talent but also the mental toll of constant competition.
Despite his success, Littler remains grounded, focusing on “living in the moment” rather than dwelling on his trophy haul, which is already outgrowing his living room space. “I think there might have to be some trophy cabinets ordered!” he quipped. His immediate plans include the Australian Masters and continued dominance, with ambitions to claim the world No. 1 ranking, as noted in a talkSPORT interview. For now, Littler’s focus is on adding to his six major titles, but his candid admission of a potential hiatus reflects a mature awareness of the sport’s demands, balancing ambition with well-being.
