Luke Littler speaking after his 6-0 win over Rob Cross. (Image: X @Oche180.)
has admitted that he doesn’t like saying if he is the “best” player in the world, despite frequently being billed as such by pundits and fans.
The 17-year-old, fresh off his , demolished world No. 4 at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead.
In the first round, Littler secured a 6-0 whitewash and recorded the second-highest average in the competition’s history. He threw 112.73 against Cross, behind only 118.52 previously.
He is the favourite to win the ahead of defending champion , having also secured the title earlier this year, but refused to comment on being the sport’s best player at the moment.
“I don’t really like saying if I am the best or not,” Littler said backstage at the Players Championship Finals when asked if he was better than his rivals currently. “Recent form people might say I am. But I just focus on winning.
“It’s always good to start any major or any competition well, obviously 6-0 and 112 average and the doubles percentage I am happy with, but just focusing on tomorrow night now.”
Luke Littler in action against Rob Cross. (Image: Getty)
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Littler set up a clash with world No. 29 Ritchie Edhouse in the second round, who enters their meeting in good form after winning the European Championship in Dortmund last month.
However, Littler is understandably confident and is hoping he can pick up even more silverware at the Butlins Resort.
“I am very happy to get off the mark in round one,” he added. “Winning any tournament and going into the next is a big thing, but performances are good and my confidence is very high.”
And with attention soon turning to Alexandra Palace once the Players Championship Finals are concluded, it was put to Littler that the bookies feel that he is favourite to go one step further than his runner-up place a year ago.
He replied: “My hopes are very high for the Worlds but you have got to keep focused on Minehead.
“It (being favourite) is what the people think and recent performances have shown why I should be favourite. But I have just got to focus on the darts whether I am favourite or whether I am least favourite.
“It’s crazy to think about beating records of 61 titles but I guess I will just have to keep going for years and years.
“It’s always good to produce on a main stage, you have seen it from all the pros on the floor, but it is good to just bring it in front of everyone.”