“Honestly, you have to be scared of Luke Littler!” – Jonny Clayton wary of world champion’s brilliance ahead of World Grand Prix 2025 semi-final

Jonny Clayton has joked he’d prefer to face “someone retired” after sealing his place in the 2025 World Grand Prix semi-finals — but the Welshman admits there’s a healthy dose of fear involved in taking on teenage sensation Luke Littler.

Clayton cruised past Dirk van Duijvenbode 3–0 to reach the final four in Leicester on Friday night, producing one of his sharpest displays of the season in a match that never really caught fire for the Dutchman. The Ferret averaged a solid 92 in the double-start format, hit three ton-plus finishes, and was far more clinical on doubles than in previous rounds.

Now, the Welshman, the 2021 World Grand Prix champion, faces the formidable task of stopping the 18-year-old world champion Littler, who edged out Clayton's World Cup of Darts partner Gerwyn Price 3–2 in a pulsating late-night classic to reach his first semi-final in the double-start format. And while Clayton’s in high spirits after rediscovering some of his best form, he’s under no illusions about what awaits him on Saturday night.

“An honest answer is you have to be scared of him,” admitted Clayton in his post-match press conference after having seen off Van Duijvenbode. “Well, the two Lukes really — they’re both pushing the bar and the rest of us are following. Gezzy’s been putting in some awesome performances, and we’re all trying to keep up. But Luke [Littler] is the hottest player on the planet right now.”

Clayton’s consistent return to the business end of the majors in 2025 has sparked familiar echoes of his golden 2021 campaign, when he won four TV titles, including the Premier League and World Grand Prix in the infamous 'Year of the Ferret'. The Welshman hasn’t lifted a major since, but insists belief in his game has never disappeared — even if he’s relishing the chance to go under the radar again.

“The underdog’s always better, isn’t it? There’s less pressure,” he said. “That 2021 season was a great feeling — I want more of that, to be honest. I believe in myself. If I can put everything together, maybe I’ll be a force again.”

That belief was backed up by a polished performance against Van Duijvenbode. Clayton punished the Dutchman’s failure to get off the mark in too many legs and landed three ton-plus checkouts in a controlled, confident display.

“Dirk’s one of the coolest guys on tour, but he’s a brilliant player,” he said. “I knew I had to take my chances. If I could start strong, I could put him under pressure — and I think I did. He missed a few doubles, but I finished. I’ve done my job, and that’s what counts.”

Clayton now turns his focus to Littler, who has already seen off Chris Dobey, Josh Rock and Price in one of the most demanding routes to a semi-final imaginable. It will be their fourth meeting on a big stage this year, and the Welshman knows exactly how dangerous the 18-year-old can be.

“I wish he’d miss treble 20, I can tell you that,” Clayton laughed. “He’s class — the world can see it. He’s a different animal. But we can all play darts. My first game on stage against Luke, I beat him. So you never know.”

While Littler continues to rewrite records at a frightening pace, Clayton’s measured resurgence has been quietly building. After a tough run of early exits earlier in the season, he’s rediscovered rhythm, composure, and the steady finishing that once made him one of the most feared closers in the game.

And beyond the jokes and humility, there’s still that unmistakable steel in his voice when talk turns to silverware. “If I didn’t believe I could win the World Championship, there’s no point in playing,” he said. “Millions might not believe the same dream, but it’s my dream. If you don’t have that, what’s the point?”

Clayton’s dream lives on — though to make another Grand Prix final, he’ll have to face down a teenager who’s terrifying everyone else in the sport. On the basis of Littler's performances so far this tournament, a task easier said than done.