LITTLER DISMISSES EARLY RETIREMENT
29/05/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
LUKE LITTLER has downplayed retirement talk as he sets his sights on defending his Premier League crown.
Nathan Aspinall claimed earlier this week Littler could “be off in about five years” as the 18-year-old world champion continues to dominate the oche.
World No. 2 Littler returns to the O2 arena this Thursday as he faces Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals.
‘The Nuke’ was quick to shut down the prospect of walking away early.
He said: “I know I’ve heard that, I don’t know where he’s got that from – don’t worry, I’ll be here in 10 years.
“It’s crazy to even think about retiring. If I win 16 world titles like Phil (Taylor), I’ll retire, but I’m not even thinking about retirement at the minute – the money is there to be won, especially the World Championship but not only that everything has gone up.
“It is all about what you’re feeling and I’m sure I’ll be here for a long time.”
Littler’s rise on the scene has included Premier League, Grand Slam and World Series titles in 2024, followed by the 2025 World Darts Championship and the 2025 UK Open.
And teen sensation Littler topped the Premier League table this year with a record breaking 45 points and SIX nightly wins.
Warrington whizkid Littler is all too aware that he remains the man to beat.
He added: “For the last 18 months there’s been a target on my back.
“Since I first came on tour and made the World Championship final, I just knew.
“From the moment I walked into my first Pro Tour [floor competition], I knew everyone wanted to beat me.
“That is still the same now. There will always be a target on my back and I know if I’m not on my A-game, they will catch me out.”
Littler is looking to become just the third player to win back-to-back Premier League titles behind Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
