Dennis Priestley Warns Luke Littler About Potential Burnout
Two-time world darts champion Dennis Priestley has advised teenage sensation Luke Littler to consider stepping back from the sport to avoid burnout.
Nicknamed “The Nuke”, Littler has been a dominant force in darts over the past year and a half, competing in nearly every major tournament. His relentless schedule has seen him claim multiple titles, including his historic World Championship victory in January, just a year after finishing as runner-up at 16.
Currently leading the Premier League Darts standings, Littler sits six points ahead of Luke Humphries and remains focused on defending his 2024 title. His recent performances include a stunning nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen in Cardiff last week—despite having taken a break from practice beforehand.
“I had a week off to chill,” Littler said after his Cardiff victory. “But to come here and win and be six points clear, I am comfortable. All players need a rest, and after tonight’s performance, I’ll take another week off.”
Priestley: Littler May Need a Longer Break
Despite Littler’s confidence, darts legend Dennis “The Menace” Priestley believes the teenager should consider a longer break to avoid exhaustion.
“Luke says he didn’t pick up his darts for a week, but he probably doesn’t even have time to practice,” Priestley told OLBG. “With midweek and weekend competitions, he’s constantly traveling between cities and hotels. He’s playing so often that he might not need to practice much, but he does need to be careful about burning out. At some point, he may need a break.”
A Grueling Schedule Taking Its Toll
Littler’s packed itinerary has raised concerns about his well-being, with the rising star himself admitting that balancing commitments has been challenging.
“We’re coming home from the Premier League, waking up at stupid o’clock to head to a Euro Tour,” he said. “If I win on Friday and Saturday, I can focus on Sunday. I didn’t realize how big darts was across multiple countries—it’s breathtaking traveling to all these places. I’ve learned a lot over these first few months of the season, and I now know what’s coming. I’ll just pace myself, but I won’t burn out.”
With Littler continuing to push himself on the global darts circuit, the question remains—should he take a step back to preserve his long-term career?
