Luke Littler told he must do one thing if he is to truly challenge Phil Taylor's legacy
Adrian Lewis believes Luke Littler has to be "greedy" in his darts dominance if he wants to join the ranks of the greatest players in history. The 18-year-old has been a phenomenon on the oche, winning multiple major titles in just a few years.
'The Nuke' is the current PDC world champion and has been an exceptional inspiration for youngsters looking to get into darts. So it's no wonder that people are already comparing the teenager to the greats of Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow and Michael van Gerwen.
But according to Lewis, there's one thing he must do if he wants to challenge these historic figures in the long term - and that is to win greedily. Speaking to Mirror Sport via The Escapist, Jackpot is adamant Littler has to be selfish on the oche and not let anybody else get in on the act of lifting silverware in the near future.
Asked if Littler has the potential longevity, Lewis replied: "I really do think he has. It just depends how hungry he stays. I think you've got to be greedy. Greedy for winning. If you can maintain that you can do anything."
The English darts hero went on to praise Littler for his tournament scheduling, noting that the youngster seems to have it all figured out early on. Lewis added: "I think he's doing things the right way. He isn't playing in all the tournaments.
"That does take away a lot of the enjoyment if you're playing all the time. Win, lose or draw, it all gets a bit samey when you're playing five or six days a week."
So far, Littler has clinched the UK Open, Grand Slam, Premier League of Darts, World Matchplay and the World Series. He has also secured plenty of other tournament titles, including the Belgian Darts Open, Poland Darts Masters and Austrian Darts Open.
Littler's presence in the sport has undeniably increased interest in darts over the last few years, but the 18-year-old isn't just satisfied with a few titles in his bag. As the Australian Darts Masters kicks off this weekend, the Nuke is ready to right some wrongs after coming up short against Gerwyn Price at last year's event.
Speaking ahead of the tournament kicking off, Littler said: "I've been here a few days now, so I've settled in but once Friday night comes, we're in the venue and the crowd are pumping, it will definitely get me up for it.
"Once you are runner-up you want to come back the next year and win it. It's a long time but now we are here and coming off the back of the Matchplay win, I am feeling very confident and up for the task.
"I got tested in Blackpool and I definitely made a good 10 days of it. Happy to come out with the win and claim the Triple Crown but now we're Down Under, it's a different competition and a different mindset."
The teenager will take on New Zealand's Haupai Puha in the first round of the tournament, with Luke Humphries, Chris Dobey, Gerwyn Price and Stephen Bunting all in action in Friday's games.
The opening games will begin at 10am UK time (7pm local time) on Friday, August 8, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place on a blockbuster Finals Day on Saturday, August 9.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Live
6 hours ago
- North Wales Live
National Eisteddfod 2025: Cheers and groans as Wrexham AFC fans follow big screen football
Cheers rang out across the Eisteddfod Maes when Wrexham AFC took the lead in their opening match of the new football season. Devoted fans of the newly-promoted club were able to enjoy the National Eisteddfod while watching the match on a big screen after arrangements were made to show the game live. And they were treated to an extra-special commentary – the English language track was turned down and substituted by commentary from Nic Parry and former Wales international striker Malcolm Allen. Hugely experienced commentators with a ready wit and turn of phrase, Nic and Malcolm were as enthusiastic as any Wrexham fan. Excitement reached fever pitch after just 20 minutes when Kieffer Moore was fouled in the penalty box and the referee awarded Wrexham a spot kick. Successfully converted by Josh Windass, the cheers were as loud as any Eisteddfod winning choir. At half time, Wrexham AFC superfan Cledwyn Ashford, the Eisteddfod's chief steward, couldn't hide his delight. 'It's a good start and there's a fantastic atmosphere here in the sunshine. Hopefully the lads can keep it up in the second half,' he said. Rumours were rife during the Eisteddfod that the club's owners, Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, would be visiting the Maes at least once. But Maxine Hughes, who played a key role in the documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, said last weekend the duo were fully focussed on the football season and unlikely to find time for a visit. During the second half Wrexham had chances to extend their lead and loud appeals for another penalty were brushed aside by the referee. Anxious fans feared Southampton might just steal a goal and so it proved with Ryan Manning scoring with a superb free-kick. There was still time to score again, and during added time Jack Stephens scored for Southampton to make the final score 2–1 to the home team.
BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
Watch: England face France in final Rugby World Cup warm-up
Update: Date: 19:48 BST Title: The last time they met... Content: France v England (20:10 BST) In their most recent meeting in April, England beat France - only just - in a high-scoring thriller at Allianz Stadium to secure a fourth consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam. This video can not be played England survive France comeback to win Grand Slam by a single point Update: Date: 19:45 BST Title: France team Content: France v England (20:10 BST) France: Bourgeois, Grisez, Menager (c), Neisen, Arbey, Arbez, Chambon; Deshay, Bigot, Bernadou, M Feleu (c), Fall Raclot, Escudero, Champon, T Feleu. Replacements: Riffoneau, Brosseau, Khalfaoui, Ikahehegi, Makka, Cissokho, Queyroi, Tuy. France are without scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus, who is serving a ban for criticising the referee's performance in France's domestic final. Instead Alexandra Chambon plays at nine in a side co-captained by second row Manae Feleu and centre Marine Menager. Uncapped back row Khoudedia Cissokho is on the bench. Players to look out for are wingers Kelly Arbey and Joanna Grisez, who scored both scored superb tries when England beat France 43-42 in April. Speaking of which... Update: Date: 19:42 BST Title: England team Content: France v England (20:10 BST) England have made 11 changes to the starting side that thrashed Spain 97-7 in Leicester a week ago: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Kabeya, Matthews. Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L Packer, Rowland, Sing. Update: Date: 19:36 BST Title: Last chance to impress Content: France v England (20:10 BST) Good evening! England barely broke into a sweat in last week's 97-7 thrashing of Spain, but I'll stick my neck out and predict that things will be quite a bit tougher tonight against perennial Six Nations rivals France on a sultry evening in Mont-de-Marsan in south-west France. And they'll want it that way as this is the last warm-up before World Cup starts. Let's take a look at the teams.
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Andy Murray's life since tennis retirement – Ban after complaints, new job, wife Kim's support
Andy Murray retired from tennis a year ago following the 2024 Olympic Games, but the Scot has kept himself busy with a number of ventures since hanging up his racket Andy Murray has been keeping himself occupied since hanging up his racket after the 2024 Olympic Games. The Scottish legend, who clinched three Grand Slam titles, was a formidable competitor against the 'big three' of his era: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Even after retirement, Murray remains an influential figure in British tennis while exploring various interests. Besides enjoying more quality time with his wife, Kim, and their four children, he's embarked on a live theatre tour and dedicated efforts to improving his golf handicap. A year after retiring from professional play, we look at what the 38-year-old has been up to, including a brief new role and a television advert that was pulled off the air... New job with rival In a surprising move, Murray briefly ventured into coaching, teaming up with one of his fiercest competitors, Djokovic, ahead of this year's Australian Open. Before the tournament, Murray expressed his openness to being on the receiving end of the Serbian's intense on-court emotions, saying: "Providing that he's giving his best effort and trying as hard as he can, I'm absolutely fine with him expressing himself how he wants." Murray confessed that the invitation to coach the 24-time Grand Slam champion came as much of a surprise to him as it did to everyone else, admitting: "I was enjoying being away from the tour, and I really hadn't watched much tennis. "I had not missed playing or competing or being on a tennis court at all. I was actually playing golf. We'd actually been exchanging messages. Novak had messaged me just wanting to chat. "I was on the 17th hole of the golf course, and the guy I was playing with said to me, 'Do you know what's next?' I was like, 'No, not really.' He said, 'Do you have any plans to do any coaching?' And I said, 'Honestly, I can't think of anything worse to do right now.' "And then 30 minutes later I was in the car and I called Novak, and then we had a conversation and he asked if I would be interested in helping, which I obviously wasn't expecting. "I said to him, 'Look, I need to think about it and talk to my family.' So I spoke to them and, after a couple of days, I thought that it was a pretty unique opportunity and experience." The collaboration lasted for only one Grand Slam, with confirmation arriving in May that they would cease working together. Murray said: "Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together, and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season." Theatre shows Murray recently wrapped up his live speaking tour, 'Centre Stage,' where he shared insights into his career with theatre audiences. The tour took place in June and saw Murray gracing stages in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London's Apollo and the New Wimbledon Theatre, with special appearances from Kim, mother Judy and tennis icon John McEnroe. Wimbledon snub Despite his strong ties to Wimbledon, Murray chose to give the 2025 tournament a miss. Speaking to The Guardian, he explained: "I'm not working there. I don't go to watch tennis as a fan. "But if one of my kids wanted to go along and watch, I obviously would take them. If a British player made the final, I'd go. "I went to the Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz final a couple of years ago, just because I had a feeling it was going to be a great match. But I won't be there otherwise." Banned advert Murray made headlines for appearing in an Australian advert that was pulled from air after complaints that it "promoted kidnapping." The two-time Wimbledon champ starred in a controversial Uber Eats commercial during this year's Australian Open. The contentious ad depicted Murray being confronted by two delivery drivers at his hotel who tell him, "We're here for you, actually," after his protests that he hadn't ordered anything. They then instruct him to "get in the bag," prompting Murray to dash away down the hallway. Murray then leaps through a glass window before making a dash for it. A message flashes up on screen declaring: "Order Andy Murray on Uber Eats Now. We haven't caught him yet, but he can't run forever." But following complaints to Australian's Ad Standards Community Panel, the advert was banned. The panel backed the complaint regarding kidnapping, ruling it "depicted violent and threatening behaviour." One complainant asked: "Why is kidnapping being promoted as a normal act? It is against the law. The Uber ads will teach children it is OK to kidnap people." Sharpening his golf skills Tennis retirement has given Murray the chance to dedicate more time to another sporting love – golf. The seven-handicapper teed off at the BMW PGA Championship's Pro-Am at Wentworth last year and claimed victory at the inaugural BTJA Mike Dickson Golf Day, staged in honour of the veteran Daily Mail tennis correspondent who passed away while at the 2024 Australian Open. On his passion for golf, Murray said: "It's a different sort of nerves, because you are comfortable in the sort of tennis environment. I'm not thinking I'm going to walk out on the tennis court and forget how to hit the ball. "Whereas here [on the golf course], there's people standing five metres away from where I'm driving, and I'm like, I'm useless at this game. You just want to try and keep the ball in play and don't mess up too much. I'm obviously getting to practice a lot more than the average person. "I obviously played a bit when I was younger, and if I can get the right sort of lessons and practise the right things, then yeah, I've got a chance of doing that [becoming a scratch player]." Life with wife Kim When it comes to his personal life, Murray is full of appreciation for his wife, Kim, who shuns the spotlight. In an interview with the New York Times, he shared his gratitude for her sacrifices, saying: "She doesn't like being in the newspapers, and people commenting on what she's wearing and how she looks, and those sorts of things. "That's one of the things that I guess she's also sacrificed, a little bit, for our relationship, and I appreciate that a lot. You're in these huge cities meeting new people all the time and it would be easy to get your head turned. "But Kim's always been there for me. She really cares about me and helps with so many things. She always has. That's why we have such a great relationship."
