23 January 2024 , 10:49
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World champion Luke Humphries has warned teenage sensation Luke Littler that he will struggle to dominate darts.
Littler burst to prominence after reaching the final of the World Darts Championship, where he was beaten 7-4 by Humphries. On his way to the final, the 17-year-old beat former world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross and earned himself a wildcard spot in the Premier League Darts as a result.
He also made his World Series of Darts debut earlier this month, winning the Bahrain Masters by beating Michael van Gerwen 8-5 in the final. Speaking to Sky Sports after Littler's victory, Humphries was asked if he felt the teenager could now begin to dominate the sport.
"That's a possibility," he admitted. "But we're in an era where not one player is dominating the sport anymore. If Luke gets better than he already is then it could be a possibility but he's going to face a lot of great players this year.
"He's not faced everyone, he's only faced six players so far. You've got Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall and Peter Wright. All these players are tough competitors but if he keeps getting better then he could dominate the sport for sure but it's up to me to get even better and not allow that to happen.
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"I think we're in the greatest era of darts because it's not dominated by one person anymore. It's a very, very open sport and I think a lot of players believe they can win and I'm talking right down to the top 64 and that's what makes it so open."
Van Gerwen, meanwhile, was full of praise for Littler after the final. "It's never going to be a good week when I'm not winning but Luke had a fantastic performance," the three-time world champion told ITV4.
Luke Littler celebrates winning the Bahrain Masters (BIC)"Everyone knows what he is capable of - let him grow, let him do his thing. I couldn't produce what I produced in the earlier games and you get punished and that's the way sport works. Of course I'm disappointed but you win some, you lose some. I'll get him, don't worry!"
Littler added: "I'm happy to win, I played well yesterday and I've played well again tonight. No one probably believes me but I've not threw a dart since the world final.
"Michael is one of the very best and I'm happy to win on my debut. It's been unbelievable this week and I'm happy to come out as the winner."