LITTLER DELIBERATELY WOUND UP FANS AT WORLD SERIES FINALS

LUKE LITTLER revealed he intentionally taunted fans to “get under their skin” at the World Series Finals. 

World No. 2 Littler failed to defend his major crown after losing 11-7 to Michael van Gerwen in the final at Amsterdam on Sunday. 

Teen sensation Littler was on the receiving end of heavy jeers from the Dutch crowd throughout the clash. 

Rather than buckle, Littler halted before a throw, strolled back to his table and dramatically swirled his water for all to see.

It was a clear message: he would play when he was good and ready. 

Littler said: “Whatever I do on stage, that’s just for myself. It gives me a bit of confidence. 

“When I was swilling my water, that was for the fans, it wasn’t for me. I was just trying to get under their skin a bit. 

“Would I have done that years ago? Maybe. In 2023, I’d have been a lot younger then. 

“Whatever I do, it’s for myself. Usually I don’t take time. Usually I just want to get on with the game. 

“The crowd were on my back and I just had to try and do something, just had to try and settle myself, and then hit that double ten.” 

‘The Nuke’ admits he has his sights set on the £1MILLION top prize at this year’s World Championship. 

But Littler is well aware of the challenge of defending his title at Ally Pally, with Gary Anderson the last man to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy back in 2016. 

He added: “As the days are ticking by and the Worlds are shortly coming round, then it does start to get exciting. 

“The first year was just new to me, I was just enjoying it. This year I’m also enjoying it. I’ve won a few titles. 

“It’s the same old busy schedule. From about four weeks ago, up until the World’s, I’ve got two weekends off before my first game, so it’s very busy. It’s all preparation for the Worlds. 

“Obviously I want to win the Worlds. All the players would look at the prize money but for myself, it’s just about going back-to-back.” 

Warrington thrower Littler’s arch nemesis this year has been his theory test which he has failed SIX times. 

He revealed: “I did do a theory the other week but I didn’t put that on my Instagram. 

“Oh, it was a bad one. I’ll let you know that. 

“I can’t pass the hazard (perception test). I’m trying. I just want to pass. 

“I’ve got a car at home – it’s not a Mercedes – so yeah it’s sat there waiting.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.