Former world champ says rivals “fold like deck chairs” against Littler

ADRIAN LEWIS says Luke Littler’s rivals are “folding like deck chairs” when they face him on the biggest stages.

The two-time world champ believes only Luke Humphries is consistently able to keep pace with Littler as he continues to dominate the PDC.

Littler, 19, produced one of the greatest World Matchplay performances ever in July when he smashed Gerwyn Price 18-9 in the final.

The Warrington thrower averaged a record 111.53 in the final as he successfully defended his title at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Littler has up all SIX PDC Premier events available to him this season and is now chasing an unprecedented clean sweep.

The Nuke has also become the first player in darts history to surpass £3million in career prize money as his remarkable rise shows no sign of slowing down.

Four-time major winner Lewis first met Littler before his stunning breakthrough and was immediately impressed by his attitude and the people around him.

He told Oche180: “I first met him before he won the Worlds and anything else. That was through Target. I can remember saying to my wife he has got a good head on his shoulders.

“But obviously I didn’t know to the extent of what he has done now. I think he has a good family around him.

“Gary [Plummer] looking after him, who has been in the game for years with his experience.

“He is in great hands. He is playing the best out of anybody and nobody is coming even close, which is a scary thought because he is only 19.

“I think there is still a lot more to come from him. I think he can improve.”

Lewis reckons Littler has already done enough to rank among the top three greatest of all time in the sport.

He added: “At the Matchplay he was unbelievable, knocking a 110 average. It’s okay to do that over a short distance, over a few legs.

“But he is doing it over long-distance matches. It is a credit to him. He is really good. He is definitely in the top four or five already.

“Probably even higher than that, maybe top three. It just shows how much he has done. The averages he’s knocking in and the scoring power.

“It’s unmatched. Who could keep up with him on a consistent basis? There is only really Luke Humphries who is keeping up with him on a consistent basis.

“Everybody else is in and out. They can beat him on the floor, but when it comes to the bigger stages, on the TV events, they are folding like deck chairs, aren’t they, to be fair.”

Adrian Lewis is an ambassador for Target Darts.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning