"I've seen a lot of kids in his position drift off" - Michael van Gerwen lashes out at media's constant Luke Littler coverage

Luke Littler has been inundated with requests from the media in recent months. And Michael van Gerwen doesn't think that's a good thing.

Littler caused a stir in recent months by first reaching the final of the World Darts Championship and then also winning a World Series tournament in Bahrain and a Players Championship. The still only 17-year-old Englishman was busily solicited by many media outlets.

"He's a young kid. How much pressure everyone puts on his shoulders is insane. I know, as a player, how it is. I don't think it's fair on him. But that's my opinion," said Van Gerwen.

Van Gerwen won the Winmau World Masters as a 17-year-old so is well placed to empathise. "Let him enjoy his life. Let him do his own thing. If he puts his shoe on, puts his darts in the sand, put his finger in his nose, whatever he does, people speak about it. Of course that happens with famous people, but let him live his life."

"I just like darts and I want to protect the product. I like to perform to the highest level, and that's why I like to play against Luke Littler. But if you keep doing this, I've seen a lot of kids in his position drift off. So I don't think that's good for the sport."