Luke Littler plays down talk of breaking incredible Phil Taylor record after World Championship victory

Luke Littler insists he is not thinking about chasing Phil Taylor’s legendary achievements despite cruising into the next round of the World Darts Championship with another strong performance at Alexandra Palace.

The 18-year-old defending champion delivered a composed display to continue his pursuit of back-to-back titles, prompting immediate chatter about whether he could one day threaten Taylor’s near-untouchable haul of 16 world crowns.

But Littler was quick to dismiss any suggestion that he is focused on chasing history.

“I’m not thinking about breaking records,” he said after his win.
“Phil’s achievements are unbelievable. I’m just trying to play well, win my games, and enjoy my darts.”

The teenager’s rise over the past year has been nothing short of extraordinary, winning the Premier League and World Matchplay before returning to Ally Pally as the top-ranked player in the world. His rapid success has led some pundits to claim he could dominate the sport for the next decade.

Littler, however, prefers to keep expectations grounded.

“People can say what they want, but I’ve only won one world title,” he added.
“Phil did what he did over 30 years. I’m still learning.”

He also praised Taylor’s impact on the game, acknowledging that comparisons are flattering but premature.

“Phil’s the greatest ever. If I can win even a fraction of what he’s won, I’ll be happy,” Littler said.

For now, Littler’s focus remains firmly on the task at hand — defending his crown one match at a time. He’ll return to the stage later in the tournament, aiming to continue his confident run without getting caught up in talk of long-term legacy.