"I think it is the greatest, all them trebles just perfect": The second best nine-dart finish ever? Not according to Luke Littler

Luke Littler hailed his jaw-dropping nine-dart finish against Josh Rock as “the greatest” ever, as he booked his place in the Betfred World Matchplay final with one of the most dramatic and high-quality matches in the tournament’s history and spoke to the media including DartsNews.

The 18-year-old sensation pulled off the perfect leg at a pivotal moment in his 17–10 semi-final win, with both players sat on 141. Wayne Mardle called it the second best ever perhaps tongue in cheek given his viral moment during the Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen nine-darter where Mardle uttered 'I can't spake' and called it the best ever. “I think it is the greatest,” he said. “The result, all them trebles — just perfect.”

What made the moment even more remarkable was the context. Rock was poised on the same 141 checkout, and the Blackpool crowd sensed what was coming. Littler, though, blocked out the noise and focused only on execution.

“You ask me! No idea [where it came from],” he laughed. “I didn’t think about anything. I just knew the route. As soon as that treble 20 went in, I knew what was next. I didn’t celebrate because I was still annoyed with myself, but yeah, I think if I gave it a bit of emotion maybe I might have dropped off a bit. But once that nine-darter went in, I picked it up and played a lot better.”

It wasn’t just the nine-darter that made Littler’s performance so special. What will be remembered just as vividly is the way he recovered from a dreadful start.
Josh Rock stormed into a 5–0 lead, but Littler never panicked. Instead, he reset during the first break and gave himself a simple message. “Obviously 5-0 — I’ve not been there before — but I said, you’ve been close enough. Just regroup, go back on stage and try and make it 6-4 or 7-3,” he explained.
“It was 7-3, and I said to myself, you’ve been here before, just try and kick on now. Everyone knows I love a break, I love to calm myself down, win or lose. It’s very hot up there, but yeah, just get on with it and get over the line.”
Once Littler got into the match, he found a level of control and confidence that has defined his rise over the past year. "As soon as I got into the lead, especially when I was throwing first, I was the most settled I’ve been in a very long time. Once I got that two-leg gap, I just thought, hold your throw and go.”

From 5–0 down, Littler reeled off 17 of the next 22 legs to win the match, finding his devastating best along the way. His scoring power and timing were relentless, with multiple legs wrapped up in 11, 12, or 13 darts. “Obviously when I’m going out in 11, 12, maybe even 13 darts a leg, you feel unbeatable in the moment,” he said. "As soon as that first treble 20 lands right on top of the bottom wire, it’s just perfect — because you know, as a player, most of the time you’re going to fill it up. The cover shots tonight were unbelievable.”
Even on the outer ring, the one area he’s consistently identified for improvement, Littler had the edge. “I think I edged Josh by one percent [on doubles], which is surprising. But fair play to Josh, he played his part. That was an incredible game.”

The match wasn’t just a classic — it felt like the beginning of something much bigger. Littler and Rock, two of the brightest young stars in darts, produced a spectacle that may come to define the sport’s next great rivalry.
“Yeah, hopefully the draw goes our way and we play each other more often now,” Littler said. "The first few minutes couldn’t have gone any better for Josh, but I managed to get myself back into it, got into the lead by a two- or three-leg gap, and I was settled.”
He didn’t hesitate to back Rock for Premier League inclusion in 2026, either. “I’d say he’s done very well so far. If he picks up one [major] or gets to a final or semi and the other players don’t perform, then I don’t see why not.”

Standing in Littler’s way on Sunday night is a man who has been there and done it all. James Wade — the 2007 champion — is back in a World Matchplay final after statistically his best ever run at the Winter Gardens.
Littler is fully aware of the challenge. “Yeah, 100%. I got the win over him [at the UK Open], but he’s been here plenty of times. He’s experienced. Whatever happens on the day, better player wins.”
The pair shared some practice time on Friday night — though it started with a familiar James Wade nudge. “He literally told me, ‘Get up off your arse and practise with me!’ I said, ‘Alright, James!’” Littler laughed. “We had a little chat backstage, but I’m sure we’ll both be focused tomorrow.”
He’s expecting a match played at a good rhythm — not dissimilar to the pace against Rock. “James isn’t the slowest. Obviously we practised tonight, did a little 121 to 170 checkouts. But yeah, we’ll both be focused for tomorrow.”

Despite being just one win away from the Triple Crown — having already lifted the World Championship and UK Open — Littler is approaching the final with trademark calm. "There’s no need to start putting pressure on myself, saying ‘You’ve got to win this, you’ve got to do that.’ If it comes, it comes. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. So far, it’s been good. But for me, all eyes are on tomorrow.”
He’s been noticeably relaxed throughout the week, not just in performance but in his interactions with media, fans, and fellow players. “I’ve been relaxed all week long. I think I’ve settled into almost every competition I’ve walked into.”

The final will also be a battle between two darting generations. Wade won the Matchplay in 2007 — the same year Littler was born. That generational gap is something he’s aware of, but doesn’t dwell on. “It goes to show how these experienced boys are still hanging around,” he said. “James is one of the very best. But I’ve come along, I’ve done what I’ve done, and yeah — it all lies on tomorrow.” Asked about the last trophy he lifted — back in April — Littler grinned: “Oh, that’s long for me!”

Despite already achieving more than most could dream of by 18, Littler remains laser-focused on bettering his game — especially his finishing. “I think I can get a lot better — especially on the doubles,” he said. “I say it in every interview. Doubles always come up, because I want them to be better. The more shots you get at them, the more you know what to do.”
He also credits the comfort of playing familiar faces — like Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, and Rock — for helping bring out his best. “Whether we’re good friends or not, we’re both here to do our job,” he said. “Whatever happens backstage — chatting, having a laugh — that can all happen, but once we’re on stage, we get on with the job. It’s probably better than playing someone you really, really want to beat. But whoever it is, we’re just on there to do our job.”

The youngest ever World Matchplay winner is James Wade — who was 24 in 2007. Littler could obliterate that record at just 18, and he’s fully aware of what’s at stake. “I’ve got plenty of time to think about it and try to lift that trophy,” he said. “Now I’m here, now I’m in the final — it’s all eyes on that trophy.” And after throwing what he believes is the greatest leg of all time, few would bet against him delivering one more piece of history on Sunday night.