"I don't want to think about it too much" – Luke Littler eyes historic milestone with Grand Slam of Darts glory

Luke Littler returns to Wolverhampton this weekend to defend his Grand Slam of Darts title – and with one huge prize in sight: becoming world number one.

The 18-year-old sensation from Warrington is now less than £75,000 behind current leader Luke Humphries and could leapfrog his fellow Englishman if he claims another triumph at Aldersley Leisure Village.

“Until I get that world number one spot, I will never call myself the best player in the world,” said Littler to the PDC, who would become the youngest ever world number one if he goes back-to-back in Wolverhampton. “I don’t want to think about it too much, but I know I could be world number one before the World Championship. I’ve just got to keep plugging away and keep producing my best darts.”

Should The Nuke complete the feat, he would make history as the youngest player ever to top the darts world rankings.

It was here in Wolverhampton a year ago that Littler announced himself to the sporting world. Then just 17, he dismantled Martin Lukeman 16-3 in the final to lift his first major title. What followed was a season for the ages: victories at the World Championship, UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.

Reflecting on that breakthrough, Littler admitted it still feels surreal. “It sounds incredible to say it out loud,” he said, reflecting on his rise, “but it just shows how well I have played this year. It has always been my dream to get my name on every trophy. Hopefully I can add to that and become a double or maybe even triple champion.”

Littler begins his title defence in Group E this weekend, facing Daryl Gurney, Connor Scutt and Karel Sedlacek. And he knows exactly what it takes to go all the way here – last year he went unbeaten, topping a group featuring Dimitri Van den Bergh, Keane Barry and Lourence Ilagan before defeating Mike De Decker, Jermaine Wattimena, Gary Anderson and Lukeman in the knockout stages.

“I’ve won this tournament before, so I know what it takes,” he said. “I’m playing really well right now. But darts is so competitive these days – you can lose to anyone, regardless of ranking. That’s just how the sport has evolved.”