Luke Littler Declares War with Humphries after retaining Grand Slam

Local TV Sport

Luke Littler spoke with a maturity beyond his years after retaining the Grand Slam of Darts, reflecting on the pressure, the pride and the growing expectation around his game. The teenage sensation admitted the title defence felt like a defining moment but insisted he still has ‘much more to come’. He praised the Wolverhampton crowd, highlighted the consistency driving his rise, and said staying grounded remains key. For Littler, this win isn’t just another trophy – it’s proof he belongs among the sport’s elite today.

Transcript

00:00Man Slam champion, how special does that feel?

00:02It's a special feeling.

00:05It's been a tremendous week, 10 days.

00:08The hard work has paid off and I can go home as champion.

00:12A brilliant final, so many big moments,

00:14but that 1.60 finish to go 11.9 up,

00:16did you feel that was a turning point for you?

00:18Yeah, I felt like it was a turning point

00:21because I got back into the lead

00:23and then went on to it.

00:26I'm going to the last break, 15.10.

00:30I knew I was only a leg away,

00:31but I just had to keep focusing

00:33and get that one leg off the line, which I did.

00:36And 14 games, 14 wins on the Grand Slam stage.

00:39What is it about this tournament that brings the best out of you?

00:42Yeah, I think I said it last year.

00:43It's just like a little Champions League knockout.

00:47Obviously, to win all three games and remain unbeaten

00:50and then obviously come out of the group stage,

00:52that's when the longer format comes into play

00:55and then that's when you see the best out of me.

00:57And you knew after beating Danny

00:59you'd become the new world number one after the tournament,

01:01but to mark that achievement by lifting the title

01:03must make it extra special.

01:04Yeah, obviously I've been checking the rankings

01:07and obviously with Luke Bunsen,

01:08he'd only be 500 quid behind me,

01:11but I've managed to pull away

01:13and make that a smaller gap.

01:16And yeah, we carry on next week in Minard.

01:19And also the first time you've retained a Premier PDC title,

01:21so another milestone moment for you.

01:23Yeah, it's not easy going back-to-back in any competition

01:26and I've done it here.

01:28And yeah, it's been, like I said, a great 10 days

01:31and the hard work's paid off.

01:33Thanks, Luke.

01:33Well done.

01:34Cheers.

01:34Luke, congratulations.

01:36I remember coming in, you said you wanted to defend one

01:38because you hadn't defended a major.

01:40Was there an extra pressure?

01:42What was that feeling like knowing that you had defended one there?

01:44Yeah, I wouldn't say there's any pressure coming into it.

01:46Obviously, it was not an easy group to get out of,

01:50but I managed to get out of it with all three wins.

01:54And then, like I said there, the longer format comes in,

01:56that's when you see the best out of me.

01:58And yeah, it's all paid off.

02:01And again, you refuse to say it now,

02:03but what does it feel like knowing statistically

02:04you are now the best in the world?

02:06Yeah, I am the best in the world.

02:08I can finally say it.

02:09World number one, you are the best in the world.

02:12And then, obviously, to top it off,

02:14going back to back makes it even more special.

02:16Again, on stage, you and Luke there with Polly at Sky,

02:20in a league of your own,

02:21do you agree that you two are literally right now

02:23the best two players by far better than anyone else on the planet?

02:27Yeah, I think we are.

02:28The finals show it, the stats show it.

02:31And like Luke said there,

02:32if everyone's getting bored of me and him,

02:34then someone needs to stop us,

02:36otherwise we're going to keep winning one and two.

02:38We're always going to meet in the final

02:40if we get past our opponents

02:41and we'll make it continue.

02:42And Luke said there, he wants the world title.

02:44Have you got one eye on that repeat final

02:46with him at Alexandria Palace?

02:48Yeah, well, obviously, if it goes all to plan,

02:50then me and Luke will obviously meet in the final.

02:53But we've still got, obviously, minded next week

02:55for myself a few exhibitions,

02:56just keep the arm going

02:58and obviously I'll focus on to the worlds.

02:59Gotcha.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended