Littler fires chilling warning to rivals after record-breaking World Matchplay triumph

LUKE LITTLER has fired a frightening warning to his rivals by insisting he is still nowhere near his peak.

The world No.1 claimed he can get "a lot better" after defending his World Matchplay title with a stunning 18-9 demolition of Gerwyn Price in Blackpool.

Littler, 19, rewrote the history books during a sensational week at the Winter Gardens.

The Warrington thrower broke Phil Taylor's 16-year tournament average record with a staggering 111.04 and set a new benchmark of 66 maximums.

He also became the first player to break through the £3million barrier on the PDC Order of Merit.

Yet the two-time world champion insists there is plenty more to come.

He said: "I can still get better. I can get a lot better.

"Through the matches I was up to 120 average at one point. I didn't maintain it, but maybe in a few years' time I will and finish a match averaging 120.

"At the minute I'm playing some of my best stuff and I've just got to keep it there.

"I've come away with the best outcome there is in any tournament, lifting the trophy.

"The way I've done it has definitely surprised myself, but that's all down to the commitment I've got.

"I wanted to win this trophy more than anything, to go back-to-back and put my name on that list.

"That's what I've done. Obviously I wasn't playing my best before, but I've come here with a different mindset.

"It's a bigger tournament than the World Series, and yeah, I'm very happy with it."

Littler is now looking to topple another iconic benchmark. Michael van Gerwen’s 123.40 televised average against Michael Smith in the 2016 Premier League remains the highest ever recorded on TV.

He added: "I remember sitting there watching it.

"The way he did it was just incredible. He didn't really miss a thing, and if he'd hit a few more, it could have been even higher.

"That's definitely one of the records I want to break.

"I also wanted to break the match average here, but I'll have to settle for the tournament average and the 180s record for now."

Littler insists his hunger remains as strong as ever despite already collecting FOURTEEN televised major titles.

The teen sensation is on course for an unprecedented clean sweep of every televised crown this season, having already lifted the World Championship, Masters, UK Open, World Cup and World Matchplay trophies.

Littler believes he is already pushing the boundaries set by the greatest players the sport has ever produced, including Taylor, Eric Bristow and Van Gerwen.

He continued: "I'm a lot younger and the performances I'm putting in at this age are very good.

“Maybe in a few years' time I'll be playing at their level, but at the minute I think I'm maybe playing a little bit better. I'm just very happy.

"The main goal was to win every major at least once. I don't know how many years I've got left in me.

“I'm still only two and a half years into my professional career, and we're far from done.”

The Nuke also confirmed he will postpone holiday plans and head to Leicester for the remaining Players Championship events as he attempts to qualify for Minehead.

He said: "I'm definitely going to have to do it. I know there are four events left, although I'm not sure exactly when because it might be before the World Series.

“We'll have to see, but yeah, sadly I've got to go to Leicester.

"I think Thibault Tricole is on about £64,000 at the minute. I'm not completely sure now, though.

“I think I'm around £22,500, so there's still a lot of work to do. I

“I've been keeping an eye on it since the Players Championship events started, but that qualifying total is only going to keep going up towards the end.

“So yeah, sadly I've got to make that commitment.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning