Glen Durrant Explains Why He’s ‘Nervous’ for Luke Littler Ahead of World Darts Championship Final
Former world champion Glen Durrant has admitted he is feeling “nervous” for Luke Littler as the teenage sensation prepares for the biggest match of his career at the World Darts Championship final.
Littler is set to compete in a historic showdown with Gian van Veen, with a record-breaking £1 million prize awaiting the winner at Alexandra Palace. While many see Littler as the favourite, Durrant believes the occasion carries unique pressures that could test even the most gifted player.
Speaking ahead of the final, Durrant explained that his concern lies not with Littler’s ability, but with the weight of expectation surrounding the 18-year-old.
“Luke’s got the talent, there’s no doubt about that,” Durrant said. “But finals are different. The noise, the pressure, the money on the line — it’s huge, especially at his age.”
Durrant, who lifted the world title himself in 2020, pointed out that Littler’s meteoric rise has placed him under an intense spotlight, with fans, pundits and opponents all expecting greatness every time he steps on stage.
“There’s an assumption now that Luke will just turn up and win,” he added. “That’s a dangerous place to be mentally. One bad start, one missed double, and suddenly the whole arena feels different.”
The former BDO world champion also highlighted Gian van Veen’s fearlessness as a potential factor, noting that the Dutchman has nothing to lose after his stunning run to the final.
“Van Veen is playing with freedom,” Durrant said. “He’s already beaten the world number one, he’s riding momentum, and that can be incredibly dangerous in a final.”
Despite his nerves, Durrant stressed that Littler remains more than capable of handling the moment — provided he stays focused on his process rather than the occasion.
“If Luke plays his game and blocks everything else out, he wins,” he said. “But it’s easier said than done on the biggest night in darts.”
The final is set to be one of the most-watched and talked-about in darts history, with Littler chasing back-to-back world titles and van Veen aiming to complete a fairytale breakthrough.
For Durrant, the matchup is a reminder of just how fine the margins are at the very top.
“It’s not about talent at this stage,” he concluded. “It’s about nerve.”
