LITTLER PRAISED FOR SHOWING HIS VULNERABLE SIDE

LUKE LITTLER has been urged to learn from his emotional Premier League breakdown after finally showing his “vulnerable side” to the darts world.

The world No.1 burst into tears on stage after defeating Luke Humphries to regain the title last week.

The Nuke had to be comforted by his beaten opponent as his post-match interview was cut short amid emotional scenes at London’s O2 Arena.

Littler later admitted he had considered walking away from the sport after being subjected to boos and jeers from crowds throughout the campaign.

Former pro Vincent van der Voort believes months of pressure finally caught up with the reigning world champion.

He told the Darts Draait Door Podcast: “What an evening. It had everything, from the very first moment, and the level was fantastic as well.

“He bottled everything up throughout the entire Premier League, and now it all came out.

“At the World Championship, after the first round against Ryan Meikle, he also fell into his mother’s arms crying.

“So he knows pressure, but never lets it show.”

The Dutchman feels Littler has often projected an image of being unaffected by criticism despite the reality being very different.

He added: “It is often an attitude he adopts. I think it is good to see him be vulnerable for once.

“Maybe people will understand him better now.”

Van der Voort also suggested the teen sensation has not always helped himself in press conferences during difficult moments.

He continued: “He has had plenty of interviews to make it more human; he didn’t handle that skillfully.

“You have to hope that he will gather people around him who can help him with that and make him see the light.

“Littler is only 19 years old, but he plays among adults.

“He is judged on that just like everyone else; it’s not like he should be viewed differently because of his age.”

Van der Voort believes the emotional scenes after the final may ultimately help fans understand what Littler has been dealing with behind the scenes.

He said: “That’s why it’s good to see that he showed his vulnerable side; hopefully, he learns from it.

“I truly believe it must have been tough for him; he was booed every week.

“He managed to hide it very well.

“It seemed like everything just slid right off him”

The former UK Open finalist also reserved special praise for Humphries after the world No.2 immediately moved to console Littler despite suffering a narrow 11-10 defeat in the event showpiece.

He said: “A credit to the sport. He says the right things and comforts him for a moment.

“I think a lot of players wouldn’t have done that. They would have been heavily irritated that they had just lost.

“That final made up for so much. It’s just that those sixteen weeks leading up to it dragged on too long in this format.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.