"I’ve struggled to adjust my sleeping pattern": Luke Littler admits issues adapting on Australia and New Zealand World Series debut

With the New Zealand Darts Masters, the final tournament of the 2024 World Series of Darts is scheduled this weekend. Luke Littler will take on home favorite Jonny Tata in Hamilton in the first round.

The New Zealand Darts Masters is the seventh and final tournament this year, after the World Series of Darts previously touched down in Bahrain, the Netherlands, USA, Denmark, Poland and Australia. New Zealand once again features some of the best players in the world competing against some of the best players from Oceania. The World Series of Darts Finals will follow later this year in Amsterdam.

Littler is having a great debut year at the PDC, already winning two Players Championships and two European Tour tournaments this year. The 17-year-old crowned his success by winning the Premier League Darts at the end of May. He also did a great job at the World Series of Darts this year, winning the tournaments in Bahrain and Poland and reaching the final at the Australian Darts Masters last week, in which he lost 8-1 to Gerwyn Price. "It’s been a great experience coming to Australia and New Zealand and meeting all the fans," says the Premier League champion.

Due to the long plane ride and accompanying jet lag, Littler did have some adjustment problems "down under."

“I’ve struggled to adjust my sleeping pattern so I’ve felt a bit tired at times, but I’ll be well rested for Friday. I want to end the trip with a bang and hopefully go one better than last week.”

If Littler wins his match in the first round he will take on the winner of the duel between Dimitri Van den Bergh and Mark Cleaver in the quarterfinals.