“I think you’ve got to be greedy. Greedy for winning” – Adrian Lewis states what Luke Littler must do to cement his place within the best
Two-time PDC World Champion Adrian Lewis has advised Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation, to adopt a “greedy” mindset to solidify his place among the sport’s all-time greats. In an interview with Online Darts on August 8, 2025, Lewis stated, “I think you’ve got to be greedy. Greedy for winning. Luke’s got the talent, but to be the best, like Phil Taylor, you can’t just settle for a few titles. You’ve got to want it all, every tournament, every night.” This advice comes as Littler competes at the Australian Darts Masters (August 8-9, 2025), aiming for his first World Series title after a controversial 6-5 win over Haupai Puha, where he was criticized for a “disrespectful” attempt at a 170 checkout, per Express.co.uk.
Littler’s 2025 has been stellar, with six major titles, including the PDC World Championship, World Matchplay, and Premier League, making him the youngest Triple Crown winner. His Matchplay triumph, averaging 107.24 against James Wade, showcased his scoring prowess, but Lewis emphasized that sustaining this dominance requires an insatiable hunger. “Phil Taylor never stopped chasing. Luke needs that same drive to keep pushing, especially in big moments,” Lewis said, referencing Taylor’s 16 world titles. Littler’s £1.5 million in career earnings and No. 2 PDC ranking trail only Luke Humphries, but his World Series struggles—losing the 2024 Australian final to Gerwyn Price—highlight areas for growth.
Lewis, who defended Littler and Humphries after Gerwyn Price’s World Cup teamwork critique, believes Littler’s youth is an asset but warns against complacency. “He’s 18, he’s got time, but the top guys like Price and [Michael] van Gerwen don’t wait. You’ve got to take every chance,” he noted. Littler’s response to his Puha controversy, telling Sky Sports, “I’m here to win, I’ll take any shot I think I can hit,” aligns with Lewis’s call for greed, though his short-format struggles, as noted by Andy Cornwall, remain a hurdle.
As Littler faces Jonny Clayton in New Zealand (August 15-16), posts on X like @DartsInsider’s praise his “killer instinct,” but @DanJones3142 urged him to channel Taylor’s relentless focus. Lewis’s advice underscores the need for Littler to maintain an aggressive pursuit of titles to eclipse Taylor’s legacy, especially with upcoming majors like the Grand Slam and Players Championship Finals.
Word count: 500
