"Is he on tomorrow afternoon? That is mind-blowing to me": Luke Littler shocked about Michael van Gerwen World Matchplay scheduling with lack of win reason mooted
PDCSunday, 19 July 2026 at 00:18
Luke Littler managed to average 109 as he took down Niko Springer on Saturday night to begin this year's World Matchplay off with a bang. Very much as ever the embodiment of get me now or don't get me at all as he took a 10-6 win to begin his title defence.
ADVERTISEMENT
Such a critic of his own display, Littler even added that he was annoyed with himself that he didn't manage to head into the first break in the lead.
He spoke to the media afterwards including DartsNews.com and said that he is looking to sharpen his doubles to hit perfection from Tuesday.
"It was a very good performance. Obviously the only really gutting thing was not going into the second break in the lead, but Niko played his part. Nice little 140 in there to hold throw, but from there onwards I was on it. We'll come back Tuesday and just sharpen up on them doubles," he said to the media including DartsNews.com.
Littler also added that on his mind was in fact Luke Humphries, his closest rival who managed to play last year and lose out early and so he didn't want to fall to the same fate.
"I mean obviously we've seen Luke last year, he lost first round, came in as reigning champ, so that was sort of in my head a little bit not to bow out in the first round. As people always say, if you don't get me in the first round then you'll never get me. So if I can get a little bit better, play better on Tuesday and take another win, then I'll be happy.
Read also
ADVERTISEMENT
As ever with a player with natural talent, Littler said that even his girlfriend Faith turned around and joked that he was scaring her by saying he was going to practice.
"I've had a little bit of a practice, I wouldn't say too much. I think I've been on Whatnot for too long. But yes, I've put some practice in. Faith said to me upstairs, "You're going to practice, you're scaring me." I was like, "Just calm down, I've been practising, I've had a bit of practice." But yes, like I said, hopefully we can be a bit better Tuesday and sharpen up on the doubles."
Littler shocked with MVG playing in the afternoon
Michael van Gerwen being on in the afternoon also surprised Littler, with The Nuke saying that perhaps it is down to the fact that he has not been winning that often.
"I can't say I've really looked at the draw. Obviously, I think one of the biggest shocks is Michael van Gerwen... is he on tomorrow afternoon? That is mind-blowing to me. But yes, obviously, I know Michael is always hungry for a title. Obviously, he's not been winning much. Then obviously, you've got to look at Luke and Gian as well. But yes, I can only look at what's in front of me. I don't know about the winner of this one."
ADVERTISEMENT
Littler shocked that MVG has to play afternoon.
New shirt, Messi rigging Ballon D'Or and breaking Taylor record
Whether fans of it or not, Littler had a new shirt as did most of the Target contingent including Bunting, Rock and Aspinall and he was asked about that as well as new set-ups and said that he does have creative input.
"I think it's a running theme for not only me, but every Target player. I think it's obviously a good tournament to bring out a new shirt and obviously the darts that I've been throwing with, they're out very soon. I was trying to play with some new K-Flexes that I've got, purple, but I just can't get my head around purple, so we stuck with the black ones.
"Obviously, every player has control. Obviously, they'll send you the first design that you've been going over for months and months and then obviously, if you want to make any tweaks, then you can. I think it's a nice shirt, little water morph there and then the blue and yellow. And yes, well-made continued shirt, just keep getting better and better."
ADVERTISEMENT
He also touched upon England's World Cup loss and gave his thoughts on it. "Yes, I think the main thing is not to sit back when we went 1-0 up. I know I've said it to everyone, my mates have all said it. From the first, second, up until Gordon's goal, Messi's done nothing. And as soon as we sat back, Messi got the space he wanted, needed and created two goals."
As well as saying that if Messi wins the Ballon D'Or, it is rigged when surmising whether darts should have an equivalent to which he pointed out the Ballon d'Art from Paddy Power at the World Darts Championship. "If Messi wins the Ballon d'Or, then it's all rigged.
The potential is that he could break the £3million ranking money record that no-one has done. He sees it merely as another record to be broken and that as long as he is winning he is happy.
"Obviously, as the days tick by, I'm still sat at number one and obviously, like I said, I want to somehow try and beat Phil's record at most days at number one. But yes, obviously, it's another record there to be broken, and then we look at four million, five million, six million, it goes on. But yes, as long as I'm winning, as long as I'm defending my money that I win, then I'll be happy at the top."
ADVERTISEMENT
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- How many times can fatty Bunting say listen, listen, listen....... I definitely don't want to see him for another 10 years, although looking at him, I don't think we will...you know what I mean.richieburnettrocks19-07-2026
- Don't worry Vinman, England will not be in the final.richieburnettrocks16-07-2026
- Ultimately, Vin man knew when to call it quits. Barney was excellent and one of the greatest darts player ever, but he just doesn't have that ability anymore. Vinman working in media is only saying what he thinks and I like how he doesn't sugar coat things and is completely honest and direct with his comments. Vinman will probably agree he wasn't really on the same level as Barney in their respective heydays.richieburnettrocks13-07-2026
- I agree that this season the format was a bit stale, it would be better to have some new faces rotated in through the season. I also think they should vary the format a bit as it doesn't count for rankings, they could have different varieties of 501 (e.g. double start) or just different challenges.mikedarts03-07-2026
- I don't really understand why its an issue that Littler doesn't play in the events, they are barely televised so there is no draw for marketing and it gives the other players a better chance to define their narratives. The events are more of a throw back to old events. I agree that the format should be looked at, I don't know why they don't do a more interesting format or vary it through the season to improve interestmikedarts03-07-2026
- This shows they have the prize money structure wrong then (and OoM as a result). Put more £ into the floor, less on the TV and you'll attract more players to attend more often.BandB03-07-2026
- He's admitted his mistakes. He won't be the first or last player to get sent down,or take drugs. I honestly didn't like the lad,but at least he's owning up to his issues. So,good luck. In whatever he decides to dorick6702-07-2026
- Not everyone wants to watch pub players throwing 70 averages for about £500. Premier League is indeed a cash cow, but it does its job of promoting the game. This new suggestion for changes is one of the better ones. Even better if everyone knew what they had to do to qualify and it isn't just a walk-on popularity contest.StraightArrowNoBull01-07-2026
- I have a suggestion,scrap the whole thing. It's a pointless cash cow for anyone in the top 10.rick6730-06-2026
- Well nobody made him bet!! It's his own fault,if wants to lose money,then he shouldn't call Gerwyn out! He averaged 103,I would think the losing betting idiot could average 40! If you don't want to risk losing,keep your money in your pocket!rick6728-06-2026
Loading