"New what? I’m on my own. It’s just myself" - Luke Littler unveils new management situation after winning World Grand Prix classic

Luke Littler revealed that his abrupt split from his former management company was planned out time before the start of the World Grand Prix, not affecting his mind-boggling 2-0 win over Gian van Veen in an instant classic.

The 18-year-old was absolutely stunning, but so was his opponent who averaged 106.47 in the double-in double-out event, which is the highest recorded average at the event. The Dutchman found himself 2-1 ahead before Littler produced a scintillating 151 checkout to level the score and went on to give it some after taking out 86 in three for the set. He continued his ominous display in the second set, winning all the legs and clinching victory with a 144 checkout.

"Obviously it’s very good for myself — better than last year," Littler said speaking to Dartsnews.com after the match. "I was mainly practising the doubles tonight, tops and tens, and they were going in. I didn’t have to go to the tens to start off with, but no, it all just felt good."

The record average that stood before was set by Alan Warriner-Little with 106.45 all the way back in 2001. Littler also got close to this, averaging 105.58, with The Nuke happy with his performance. "Obviously it feels a lot better now that I’ve been told," Littler said. "But just on my own performance — it was very good. Like I said, better than last year. Dejan played his part, but in that second set, I was just a bit too much for him."

He was also giving it the big one, celebrating passionately after securing the first set. "Yeah, it was a big set. I saw Gian giving it big in the first leg with a 180, and I was like, 'Alright, I’m in it.' After that first set I just had to let some out, because obviously I broke his throw. Then in that second set, when we came back on stage, we got the job done."

A day before he would get his event kicked off, Littler announced the news that he and his management company ZXF Sports Management have gone their separate paths. This came as a shock to many, especially with how close it was announced to the Grand Prix. But this was not a spur in the moment decision, with Littler disclosing that it had been in the works for a while.

"No, we had it all planned out. It’s been going on for a few weeks now, so we knew when it was dropping and when I’d be posting it. The build-up was still the same — a bit of practice, got here a few hours before, and I was ready for tonight."

When asked about his new management, he said: "New what? I’m on my own. It’s just myself — I think it’s better that way. I’ve got my family to support me. Martin’s done his job, but I think it was the right time to move on. Booking flights, hotels, all that — it’s going well. The help from Garry at Target is massive, and we’re going in the right direction."

Van Veen has emerged onto the scene as a very dangerous player. Regularly impressing on the Pro and Euro Tour, he has consistently been putting in huge performances time and time again. Littler has not classed him as his closest rival but slotted him in with Josh Rock as potential rivalries for the future.

"I wouldn’t say closest, but obviously him and Josh Rock — they’ve been on tour for a few years now, but the spotlight’s not really been on them," he said. "It kind of should be, but at the minute, yeah, it’s mainly me and Luke. It wouldn’t surprise me if either of them won a major in the next few months or years. Especially Gian's performance — it’s about how you start and pick your numbers up. He’s averaging over 100 in this tournament, and we’ve both gone and done that. But for Josh and Gian — they’re incredible. If Gian goes deep in the next few tournaments, hopefully he’ll get into the Premier League, and Josh could be in with a chance next year too."

While Littler did not get ahead of himself, the odds are heavily stacked in his favour to become the world number one. With Luke Humphries set to defend just over half his prize money, the reigning world champion has the door firmly ajar to possibly create more history.

"Yeah, obviously there’s a good chance I could become number one, but like I’ve said a few times, it wouldn’t surprise me if Luke went on and defended all his prize money and stayed world number one," Littler said. "I’m defending £200,000 from the Worlds, but I’ve already won more than that at the Matchplay, so really, I’m not defending much. I’m just going into the Worlds with nothing to lose."