Phil Taylor, a renowned figure in darts, expressed disbelief upon learning about Luke Littler’s unconventional approach to practicing for the upcoming £1 million World Darts Championships title defense.
Littler aims to join the exclusive group of only four individuals who have successfully defended the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy. The highly anticipated darts event commences on Thursday night, with Littler facing off against Lithuanian player Darius Labanauskas in the first round.
Despite being just 18 years old and hailing from Warrington, Littler has surprised the 16-time world champion Taylor by deliberately minimizing his practice sessions leading up to the tournament.
During an interview on SunSport’s Flight Club, Taylor remarked, “Luke hasn’t been practicing as rigorously as expected. However, should he progress past the initial round, I believe he will excel.”
Taylor recalled a recent encounter with Littler in Finland, where the young player displayed unwavering confidence despite his lack of practice. Taylor recounted, “He refused to use the practice board, opting instead to relax in a rented house in London. To everyone’s amazement, he effortlessly hit impressive scores during the matches.”
In his extensive 31-year career in professional darts, Taylor emphasized the importance of mental preparedness for players participating in the Ally Pally event. He stressed the significance of starting mental preparations early, highlighting the need to maintain a positive mindset throughout.
Taylor cautioned against over-practicing, cautioning players against exhausting themselves ahead of the tournament. With a substantial prize of £1 million at stake this year, Taylor advised players to strike a balance in their practice routines to ensure peak performance throughout the three-week championship.
Overall, Taylor emphasized the critical role of mental fortitude and strategic preparation in achieving success at the World Darts Championships.