Phil Taylor and Luke Littler. (Image: Getty)
has seemingly sent a health warning to ahead of next month’s . The teenage sensation will head to Ally Pally as one of the clear favourites for the title, despite by main rival on Sunday night.
Just seven days earlier though, at the Grand Slam of Darts, and has been tipped to one day emulate Taylor’s unprecedented achievements.
But he has 16 world championship crowns to win until he reaches that point, and while Taylor believes there’s not much to stop Littler’s ascent to the top, he fears the December conditions could scupper him.
“It’s a funny time of the year (the World Championship) as the weather is dropping,” said Taylor. “The temperature is always cold and you get all of the viruses coming out, the colds, the flu and everything.“
‘The Power’ won his 16th and final crown in 2013, storming back from 4-2 down to beat Michael van Gerwen 7-4. And he’s now revealed that his epic win over his Dutch rival came despite battling illness.
“My friend gave me some antibiotics off the doctor and that was when I won my 16th world title,” he recalled. “It fell on New Year’s Day so we had a few days off so I got the antibiotics in my system and was fine from then.”
Taylor has revealed he battled illness when winning his 16th world crown in 2016. (Image: Getty)
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Much has been made of Littler’s unique diet, with the 17-year-old famously celebrating wins in his debut Ally Pally campaign last year with late night kebabs. After his Grand Slam of Darts success, final opponent despite his mid-match snacks including a Boost bar, meal deal and a curry.
Taylor, 64, changed his own health and fitness regime during the latter years of his career, taking to dieting and swimming in a bid to prolong his time at the top. And he also advised Littler that taking in junk food during matches could be counter-productive.
“I was always hungry and never ate before I went on,” he claimed. “It keeps you sharp and alert. Two or three hours before I played, I would never eat; I would have something after I had finished.”
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However, the all-time great did admit to not being fussy about his nutritional intake once a match was over. He said: “I would eat whatever was open, a Chinese, an Indian or whatever was available really. We would sometimes make some sandwiches when we got back.”
Later today (Monday), Littler will find out his potential path to a second successive final in London. The draw for the world championship is due to take place at around 4.30pm, with the youngster currently ranked fourth in the PDC rankings.