Luke Littler warns rivals he's going nowhere as he tackles retirement chatter head on
The World Champion insists he is not intending to walk away from the sport anytime soon
Motivated Luke Littler has warned his rivals he's going nowhere and will be around for a long time.
The teenage sensation is gunning for a second-straight BetMGM Premier League crown to add to his World Championship title.
Littler's rise has been meteoric, but rival and pal Nathan Aspinall has claimed the kid is already getting fed up with the schedule.
The Stockport star stated on a radio show that he feels The Nuke might have had enough of it all and five years time and walk away from the sport to pursue other activities.
But Littler responded to that notion by saying: 'I've heard that! I'll be here in 10 years.
"Obviously, it's crazy to even think about retiring at the minute. Obviously, I think what they're saying is that if we win 16 titles in the next 16 World Championships, then obviously I will retire!
"I don't think of any retirement at the minute. Obviously, the money, it's there to be won, especially the World Championships now.
"But not only that, everything has gone up. It's all about what you're feeling and I'm sure I'll be here for a long time.'
Fired-up Littler admits it would 'mean everything' to emulate Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen and win back-to-back Premier Leagues.
He added: 'It's obviously my first big TV title defence, but you've just got to look forward to the first semi-final against Gerwyn [Price] and, obviously, see what happens there. There might be nerves, there might not be.'
Littler has matured quickly and is now having to cope with some stick having always been the fans' darling when he started out.
He got grief in Germany recently and smiled: 'I wouldn't say it's upset me.
"I've done what Gerwyn Price always does, go on Instagram, have a bit of a moan and take it down half an hour later!
"With that many followers, so many people see it. Take it down and just refresh and go again!'
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