Luke Littler names Michael van Gerwen record it would ‘mean everything’ to break

Luke Littler says it would mean everything to go the youngest victor of the PDC World Darts Championship and helium volition person plentifulness of chances to bash it.

Still conscionable 17 years old, the Nuke heads to Alexandra Palace this twelvemonth arsenic the favourite to assistance the trophy aft finishing runner-up connected debut past clip round.

Michael van Gerwen is presently the youngest ever victor of the tournament, doing truthful astatine 24 years old, truthful clip is connected Littler’s side.

The teen adjacent joked helium could phone it successful for a fewer years earlier breaking MVG’s record, earlier insisting that it would beryllium hugely important to him to clasp that portion of history.

‘I cognize Michael van Gerwen holds the youngest astatine 24,’ said Littler. ‘So I’ve got 7 years, I could conscionable slouch astir for six years and conscionable triumph it erstwhile I’m 24!

‘I’d evidently similar to triumph it earlier Michael won it, it would mean everything to beryllium the youngest. That’s decidedly what I’m looking for.’

Littler Littler has won 10 titles successful his archetypal twelvemonth arsenic a professional, including the Premier League, Grand Slam and World Series Finals.

Despite Luke Humphries being satellite fig one, defending champion and having landed aggregate titles himself this season, Littler is the favourite with the bookmakers and helium is good with that situation.

‘Probably based connected caller performances past I americium the favourite,’ helium said. ‘Us players person conscionable got to look ahead, don’t person to look astatine who’s favourite, conscionable got to play our darts.’

Van Gerwen has plentifulness of respect for Littler’s talents, but has laughed disconnected the proposition that helium could beryllium acrophobic of the Nuke, and reminded the youngster that helium has been astatine the apical for a precise agelong time.

‘I deliberation he’s been playing truly well. Of people helium had an insane year, but however galore tournaments has Humphries won?’ Van Gerwen questioned. ‘I conscionable request to look to myself. I lone won four. Bad isn’t it?

‘Luke Littler’s not unbeatable. He mislaid archetypal circular successful the World Matchplay to me! No 1 is unbeatable, nary one. Of people helium has truthful overmuch endowment and he’s large for the game.

‘Of people he’s a bully player, of people helium has the media attraction and everything goes his mode astatine the infinitesimal due to the fact that he’s successful the flow.

‘Still, I’m not playing my champion and helium inactive didn’t bushed maine much than I bushed him. So that mightiness beryllium an answer. Am I frightened of him? Not a chance.’

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