GREAVES HAILS LITTLER EFFECT

BEAU GREAVES insists Luke Littler has already transformed darts and inspired a new generation of players.

Women’s world No1 Greaves hailed the ‘Littler Effect’ and believes the teenage sensation has changed the sport for players of all ages.

The Doncaster darter beat Littler 6–5 in last year’s World Youth Championship semi-final.

Greaves says Littler’s rise has encouraged more youngsters to take up darts and boosted participation across academies.

She said: “It has affected loads of young lads and young girls.

“With all the academies and people playing, he has been great — he has literally changed things for everyone.

“It’s great. What more do you want? It was really good and really positive.”

Greaves reckons Littler’s impact will help grow both the men’s and women’s games in the long term.

She added: “Hopefully, as the sport continues to grow and get bigger in both the men’s and ladies’ games, young kids picking up darts can see longevity in the sport and build a career in it.”

This year’s World Championship was staged at Alexandra Palace’s West Hall, with a capacity of 3,200 but booming demand has forced a move next year. The tournament will switch to the Great Hall, which can welcome more than 5,000 fans.

All 170,000 tickets for this year’s Worlds sold out in pre-sale, with 20 per cent snapped up by overseas supporters. Fans flocked in from Germany and the Netherlands, as well as Ireland and the United States.

The final also smashed viewing records, pulling in a peak audience of 2.5million on Sky Sports as ‘The Nuke’ successfully defended the Sid Waddell Trophy against Gian van Veen.

Ten-time major winner Littler also pocketed a staggering £1million top prize — double the amount on offer at the PDC Premier event over the past seven years.

Image by Taylor Lanning.