"I was literally thinking I’m going to struggle here": Two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis warns Luke Littler about different pressure in title defence

Adrian Lewis has disclosed his excitement for the upcoming PDC World Darts Championship while also offering an update on his long-awaited return. Hardcore 'Jackpot' fans may have to wait a bit longer for the return of the two-time champion who does not want to be labelled as a 'fool.'

Once widely recognised as one of the best players in the world, Lewis has seen a dip in form since the golden days of the early 2010s. In 2023, he abruptly stopped turning up to events, favouring a period away from the sport. However, a return seems to be in the works with Lewis giving an update on his progress when speaking to Online Darts.

"I’ve been playing half-decent in patches. I’ve been knocking in good averages — 116s, 110s — on a regular basis, not just once. But then I’m averaging 80-odd," Lewis said ruefully. "I’ve been up and down. But I’m enjoying it again, and that’s the main thing. It’s all steps. And if I go back full-fledged into the PDC, my mind needs to be 100%." If a return is on the cards, Lewis wants to do it properly. "I don’t want to turn up like a fool. I don’t want to be a journeyman. If I turn up, I want to be there to win the tournaments. And at this moment, my mind isn’t 100%," he confidently stated.

His chances of appearing at Q-School have also seemed to have been lowered. "I’m probably 60–40 against it," Lewis answered, "But I will be back. I promise you I’ll be back. I needed to step away — but I will be back. Just a bit of time, that’s all."

"Listen, one thing that shouts in my mind is Christmas, World Championships — who's going to win it? I’m not sure," Lewis said with an enthusiastic grin.

This swiftly followed into a conversation about who would win the event. Similar to most darting fans, Lewis was not straying far from the two Luke's. "My lads brought it up today. We were talking about it on the way up here, trying to work out who’s got a great chance in the tournament based on the longevity of the format — who can do it. There’s probably only five names that came up really. One of them is obviously Luke Humphries."

He also threw some different names into the hat. "I think James Wade will turn his fortunes around — I think he’s gone out in the first round every year, so I think he’ll turn it around. Another dark horse? Callan Rydz. I think he always performs at the World Championships. He hasn’t done much recently, but with his talent he’ll be up there. I don’t know really — I couldn’t say who’s going to win it."

Luke Littler will be returning to the palace as the reigning champion. While he has previously experienced this at the Grand Slam of Darts, this is a completely different scenario with a lot more pressure. Adding to that, he will be defending his first sum of money since joining the PDC.

Lewis has plenty of experience in defending the Sid Waddell trophy after winning it in 2011 and 2012. He explained the surreal feeling of this while dissecting a conversation he had with world number four Stephen Bunting. "It’s certainly different — 90 points for a million pounds as well. I was talking to Stephen Bunting tonight and he said, “Oh God, I don’t know if I’m playing for the million pounds.” But I said, “Do you actually think about the money when you’re playing for the title?” He said, “No, I don’t.” And I said, “Well, there’s your answer.” You don’t think about the money until after — that’s the bonus.

"Luke [Littler] defending it — I think he’s in form," he continued. "He’s got longevity in the formats with the high scoring, high finishing. That’s what it’s going to take. Someone will have to play their socks off to beat him."

While Lewis may have been one of the best players in the world in his pomp, he admitted that he was struggling on the oche, reminiscing what Eric Bristow said on commentary. "Well, in my instance, I was playing rubbish going into my second one," he stated. "I’d changed my darts, joined a new sponsor with Target, and I couldn’t get used to the darts. I was literally thinking, “I’m going to struggle here.” And Eric Bristow said on commentary, “He’s got no chance to win it,” and I looked and thought… my mind changed. Ever since then, that’s what happened. If he hadn’t said it, I’d probably go on to the next round. It’s mad, really."

However, he believes this fate will not occur for the more professional Littler. "But it’s different now. This younger breed — it’s all eyes on the job. We used to have great crack behind the scenes. Even around exhibitions, talking to the youngsters — the mentality is different now."

The sport is completely different from when Lewis was competing at his peak. The banter and jokes have dryed up with a serious and more focused setting now taking place. "I think what we used to do — and I’m only talking two and a half years ago — we had a laugh and a joke behind the scenes, but once you got on stage it was serious," Lewis confessed. "Get there, do a job. Now, from what I’ve been hearing, everything’s serious — everyone’s got earphones in, not talking to each other. But we don’t want robots! We want characters in the game. A bit of banter behind the scenes releases pressure and lets you relax."

£1 million will be handed out to the winner of the World Championship. That sum of money would motivate anyone to bring their A-game to Ally Pally with a golden chance to climb up the rankings.

As much of a headlining factor this is for the event, 'Jackpot' has found an underlying issue with this much money for the winner, using Littler as a prime example. "The issue is, say Littler wins the World Championships — who’s going to touch him in five years? He’ll be world number one for five years guaranteed just off that one win," Lewis uttered.

"I think it needs to be more balanced," Lewis said, describing the current ranking system. "Other tournaments need to come up a bit — the Matchplay, the Grand Prix, the Grand Slam. They need higher stakes. Otherwise the Worlds is too top-heavy."

Not many people would have thought that Bunting's Premier League Darts spot would be under threat, but after a number of underwhelming results at majors this has become reality. "I was talking to Stephen Bunting again, " Lewis said once again referring to their prior chat. "He’s number four in the world at the minute. Hope to God he doesn’t go out early, because you don’t want the PDC to have options. You need to cement your place at the Worlds. That’s where it’s all done."

He would go on to tag the Premier League as 'boring.' "I think the format — they’ve changed it to a tournament style. It’s called the Premier League, but it feels like a tournament every week. The PDC — Matt Porter, Barry Hearn, Eddie [Hearn] — they always seem to get it right. But something needs to change. It’s a bit boring in my opinion."