"I don’t know who the best player in the world is right now, but it’s not me” - Luke Littler humbly shrugs off claims by Wayne Mardle

Luke Littler won Night 14 of the 2024 Premier League Darts campaign last Thursday night. The 17-year-old Englishman is also having an incredibly strong debut year on the Pro Tour.

Wayne Mardle, himself a former Premier League Darts competitor and currently working as an analyst for Sky Sports, leaves no doubt who he thinks is currently the best player in the world. ”I do believe Luke's playing like the best in the world - and he’s getting better. Right now he has this swagger - just imagine how good he will be in five years," stated Hawaii 501.

When asked if he feels like the top dog in darts, Littler himself, however, disagrees. "I don’t know who the best player in the world is right now, but it’s not me," the 17-year-old answers modestly.

Nevertheless, Mardle was insistent. ‌"There's a definite comfort zone with him now, shushing the audience, having the guts to do it, having the composure to do it and not letting it bother him or put him off. He seems to have come out of his shell - there has been a change in him," Mardle analyses. ‌"There's a lot to like about his game, and let’s hope it stays that way for many a year, but that's four wins in the Premier League now and he's more or less wrapped up the league phase with two weeks to go."