"Every player is going to play at least ten times better against me because they have to": Luke Littler fires back at Price's players make it too easy retort

PDC
Saturday, 25 July 2026 at 23:49
Luke Littler pointing to his ear
Luke Littler produced a demolition job win over Dirk van Duijvenbode as he averaged 110 to wipe him aside 17-5 and move into the World Matchplay final.
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A tall order will await Gerwyn Price who has topple the darting juggernaut who could complete the best ever set of results in a World Matchplay with his tournament average through the roof. He is eyeing the record and also back-to-back titles.
"I just feel amazing every time I go on stage. We come in a few hours before, practice is going well, and then to take that onto the stage means the world to me," said Littler to the media including DartsNews.com.
"I've just got to keep going. I think Phil Taylor's tournament average record is 106 and I'm on about 110 at the minute. As long as I'm around those numbers tomorrow I'll obviously break the average record, but the only thing that matters is getting the win."
Asked if he checks his averages during the match, Littler said that he checks on stage but not during the breaks. Albeit he does tend to know more often than not what he is on.
"I wouldn't say during the break, but when we come back on stage the averages are there. I think after the tenth leg I was on 117 and someone said after three legs I was averaging 133. The numbers are there for me to see, but I've just got to keep at it. Maybe not the 133 averages, but keep producing those 110 averages.
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But it also comes from a place of Littler growing up in the MVG generation and him firing in huge averages so he is very much used to marvelling over them. "I know I'm capable of doing many great things in this sport. Since the first round the averages have been there. They've gone up, back down and now back up around the 110 mark. As long as I play like this tomorrow then hopefully I can lift the trophy again.

Luke Littler completes demolition job win.

"I've always watched the averages and what players were doing. I remember Michael's huge average against Michael Smith in the Premier League.
"Back then I never thought I'd become a professional and do those sorts of things, but I'm close enough to it now. As long as I keep improving and producing performances like this then I'll be happy."

Price awaits

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Next up is a certain Gerwyn Price who he has a very good record against albeit 'The Iceman' has had his number at other times.
"You can't underestimate anyone, especially not in a final. Niko Springer pushed me in parts during the first round and then I had to find another gear. Hopefully me and Gez have a really good game tomorrow and hopefully I can get the win."

Price responds to facing Littler tomorrow.

"I wouldn't feel that way. I know every player is going to play at least ten times better against me than they did in the previous round because they have to. If I'm producing these numbers consistently then someone is going to have to do something really special to beat me.
"It's one extra leg tomorrow if it doesn't go all the way, but I've just got to keep going. I wanted to keep going tonight and try to find the nine-darter as well."
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"Me and Gez always have brilliant games. We had a great game in Dublin when I came back from 5-0 down, and then at The O2 he nearly did the same to me. He was creeping back into it.
"As long as we both play well tomorrow and we're both happy with our performances, that'll be good. But the main goal now is getting the trophy."
"It's the same as last year — I'm back in the final. Now you start looking at the list of players who've gone back-to-back and obviously I want to join that list. I've just got to reset, recharge, have a fresh mind tomorrow and hopefully produce another big performance."
He has his eyes not only on the back-to-back titles but 10 wins in a row against him. "When he celebrates I try not to get involved, but I usually do. We've seen it loads of times where I get involved, he comes back into the game and nearly wins.
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"I've won the last nine against him and hopefully tomorrow I can make it ten and go back-to-back."
He also remains humble to the task in regards to prize money and said it's trophies not money that interests him. "I just want to win trophies. The prize money comes with the trophies. It's always been trophies first, never money first. As long as I keep winning trophies, the money will come with it."
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