LITTLER ADMITS DARTS FORM CAN FALL

LUKE LITTLER admits he could still DROP OFF in the future despite his recent three-month winning streak.

‘The Nuke’ smashed Paul Lim 6–1 for a second consecutive match to reach the quarter-finals of the Saudi Arabia Masters.

World No.1 Littler has dominated the sport over the last two years, although his 21-match winning streak ended last week when he was beaten by Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals of the Bahrain Masters.

But despite his stunning rise, Littler is realistic about how quickly things can change at the top level.

He said: “I think I would rather be under the radar. But obviously now I am at the top, and that is where I want to be.

“Now I can hopefully stay there, but if I do start to drop off at some point, as any other dart player wouldn’t want to do.

“Look at Michael [van Gerwen], he has been going through tough times and fallen off a bit.

“But like I have said many times, Michael will be back. But yeah, we have seen with players they do drop off.

“Who knows, in a few years maybe I might be under the radar, not speaking to you guys.”

Littler reflected on the end of his long unbeaten run and insisted he is not dwelling on the setback.

He added: “I saw that record after the World Championships. Obviously, when I lost to Gezzy, I wasn’t thinking about that record at all.

“I saw it on social media afterwards. It is what it is — it’s taken someone three months to beat me. It’s taken Gezzy even longer because I was on that eight or nine-match winning streak against him.

“I’m sure I can get that winning streak back against him.”

Littler returns to action on Tuesday and will face Gian van Veen for a place in the semi-final of the World Series event.

Image by Taylor Lanning.