"It will be a bonus if Littler goes out": Martin Lukeman oozes confidence with Grand Slam of Darts glory in his sights
PDC
Martin Lukeman is bullish about his chances of going all the way at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts and certainly believes in his ability to do so. But it was a display that deserved the confidence as he saw off Rob Cross 16-11 to reach a maiden major semi-final and on his Wolverhampton debut.
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Lukeman spoke afterwards to the media and said that he was dreaming as soon as he got out of the group and knew that when Cross faltered he needed to take his chance. But also that he used the long format to his advantage to sit back and wait for his chance when he fell behind early.
"It was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. But there's still two more to go," said Lukeman post match.
"I was dreaming as soon as I got out of the group stages. It's a game of darts at the end of the day. Rob (Cross) I'd seen him hitting 1's and 5's tonight and I just thought be steady because I was poor the first three legs again against him. I started taking out my bull finishes and my big finishes and I thought come on, this is it. This is you. Then it went 10-10 and I was like just get another lead, get another lead."
"I knew with it being first to 16 that I had time, I wasn't going to panic. Sometimes I panic on the ProTour but I didn't tonight. I don't fear anyone anyway. I've beaten Michael van Gerwen on the European stage, I've been to finals. Alright Humphries gave me a bashing, that was the start of his legend. But hopefully this weekend is the start of mine."
"I knew from the start that he might have a lead. It might be 7-2, 7-3 because I am a slow starter. It takes me a while to get going, get focus and go from there. But I know first to 16, I've got time."
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Bullish but with a perfect scenario
But now it is about playing two games potentially on the Sunday and he is confident it will be two. "It will be two games touch wood. My family, friends and management will all be there behind me."
Going into his tie against Cross as expected as the underdog, he said that he relishes the idea that he can 'ruffle a few feathers'. But his perfect scenario on his route to glory would be not playing a certain teen prodigy Luke Littler in the final.
"I prefer to be the underdog. I've been the underdog the whole competition. I said at the start, I just go under the radar, ruffle a few feathers and just do my job."
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"It will be a bonus if Littler goes out. Mickey Mansell's not an easy draw or anything. He's playing well, he's beaten quality players like Wade and Menzies. I've just got to do my job on Sunday afternoon and hopefully get through and get ready for the final."
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.
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- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026