"He has more experience than his age suggests'' - Jerry Hendriks on Littler's participation in Premier League

The PDC recently announced the lineup for the 2024 Premier League Darts. This includes a spot for teenage sensation Luke Littler, who managed to reach the final on his debut at the World Darts Championship. Jerry Hendriks gave his opinion on Littler's participation on the darts podcast Double Top.

Hendrik indicates in the podcast that he thinks it is great that Luke Littler will participate in the upcoming edition of the Premier League. ''Of course it was a bit difficult for the PDC to make this choice. I think they made this choice in good consultation with Luke, his parents and his management. It's not nothing, what he's getting into now. You play intensively for weeks against the top of the world. He made his debut at the World Darts Championship this year, of course, but so far he has shown he can withstand the pressure.''

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Hendriks thinks the PDC made a smart choice to add Littler to the 2024 Premier League lineup. ''He certainly has a marketing value. The Premier League is obviously an invitational tournament where, outside of the top four, the players are selected on ticket sales and ratings.''

Whether Luke Littler is actually too young for the Premier League is difficult for Hendriks to say. ''He has more experience than his age suggests. He has already won many titles in youth. However, he still has little experience with the many media attention. That could still play tricks on him.''

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Hendrik argues that playing the Premier League can also bring more pressure. ''Littler hasn't had many setbacks so far and was able to throw freely at the World Darts Championship. That does not mean that in the Premier League, where he will have to play for weeks against the world's top players, he will easily reach that level again. There will also be weeks when things don't go so well. Even if he just continues stoically as he did at the World Darts Championship, that is no guarantee of success.''

Hendriks understands why Littler decided to accept the invitation to participate in this edition of the Premier League. ''He has the momentum with him now. He has played the final of the World Darts Championship and entered the top-32. In two years it is not guaranteed that he is still the ''upcoming man'' and will be asked for the Premier League.''

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