Luke Littler's mum responds to darts rival's taunts after Belgian Open success

10 March 2024 , 22:34

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Ricardo Pietreczko had a tense exchange with Luke Littler at the Belgian Open

Luke Littler's mum, Lisa, couldn't resist responding to Ricardo Pietreczko after his on-stage spat with son Luke at the Belgian Open.

Teenage sensation Littler, still just 17, defeated 'Pikachu' Pietreczko 7-3 in Wieze when the pair met in the semi-final on Sunday afternoon.

But things got heated before the two exited the stage, with Pietreczko confronting Littler when the teen went to shake his hand. The German got in his face in an extremely tense moment.

Pietreczko did not reveal what he had said to Littler but took to Instagram with a scathing message. Writing on his Instagram story, he wrote: “I really appreciate the fact that he can play a game like that at such an age. But I hope his arrogance punishes him.”

Everyone was talking about what happened - but Luke's mum, didn't seem too worried, judging by what she did online. After someone said Luke "should have put the nut" on Pietreczko, darts expert Wayne Mardle agreed it would have been fair. Lisa just posted some funny emojis as her way of agreeing with Mardle.

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Lisa used a laughing emoji and a dartboard, plus a happy face with hearts, which is a bit like a secret code for young people. She looked happy with Mardle sticking up for her son.

Luke didn't know why Pietreczko was being mean and said on Facebook: "No idea what I did wrong, no idea what he said, he said something then don't do it again."

Luke Littler's mum reacts to on-stage bust-up with sore loser rival Ricardo Pietreczko (PA Wire/PA Images)

Luke Littler lifts the Belgian Darts Open trophy (OfficialPDC/X)

And Littler indeed had the final laugh, winning the European Tour event and grabbing a cool £30,000 prize on his debut. Rob Cross beat Gerwyn Price to set up an exciting final, but it was Littler who sprinted to victory with two straight wins, ending 8-7 that evening.

His victory is just the latest chapter in what has been a stunning breakout year. Littler reached the final of the 2024 PDC World Championships at the Alexandra Palace, only to be beaten by Luke Humphries. He then bounced back to win the Bahrain Masters against Michael van Gerwen and also reached the final of the Dutch Masters - Van Gerwen eventually getting his revenge.

The Warrington-born wonderkid has also enjoyed a promising start to life in the Premier League. He sits third after six weeks but is yet to win an event.

Tom Sunderland