Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler battled it out in the World Darts Championship final (Image: Getty)
was apparently ‘bummed’ to have missed out on a fourth title following his defeat to .
The teenage sensation romped his way to the Ally Pally crown on Friday night, demolishing legend of the game Van Gerwen 7-3 in sets.
Despite never really looking like challenging Littler throughout the final, Van Gerwen posted some impressive numbers across the 10 sets, including a ton plus average, as well as posting more 180s than his 17-year-old opponent.
It’s a result that’s said to have annoyed the Green Machine, who, according to compatriot Vincent van der Voort, feels defeats differently from other players.
Speaking to Sportnieuws’ Darts Draait Door podcast, Van der Voort stated: “Really, he starts so badly in the first four sets. That he cannot answer and is not there.
“He just finds that to himself incomprehensible and inexcusable at that point. Then you notice that he is very bummed. If Gian [Van Veen] finishes second at this World Championship, he will think it really was a top tournament.
“But if you have already won it three times, then you experience a second place very differently.”
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Luke Littler replaced Michael van Gerwen as the youngest-ever World Darts Championship winner (Image: Getty)
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Van Gerwen might’ve saved his frustrations to air in private, but on stage after Littler won the championship, the Dutch darting ace was quick to show his true colours with a classy losing speech.
Talking to Sky Sports, the 35-year-old stated: “I went 4-0 behind and after that, I wasn’t doing myself any justice. But then you’ve got to fight and after the 4-0 down I definitely wasn’t the worst player.
“But fair play to him [Littler], every moment he got and every chance to hurt me, he did. I sometimes say ‘every 17 years a star gets born’ and he’s certainly one of them.
Where to buy Luke Littler’s darts
Luke Littler is heading to the latter stages of the WDC, and you can emulate the 17-year-old with a set of his Target G1 Swiss Point darts for £99.95. You can also upgrade to the gold Prodigy darts for £129.95.
There is also a more affordable Loadout 90% Tungsten darts for £45.90. If you need something to throw them at, Amazon has reduced the Luke Littler Cabinet & Dartboard Set to £59.99.
“Don’t get me wrong, I had a lovely tournament, I enjoyed every moment of this ride. We all know I’ve been battling my own game, but in the beginning of the game, I was letting myself down too much.
“When you do that against a player with his [pointing at Littler] ability and performance, you’re going to be in trouble. That’s how it is.”
Littler will return to action in mid-January when he heads to the Middle East for the Bahrain Masters – the first professional tournament he’ll enter as defending champion, having lifted the trophy 12 months ago.