Littler makes bold claim in battle with Yamal and Sinner

LUKE LITTLER believes he is the most dominant star in world sport this year.

The world No1 believes nobody can match his incredible run after winning all SIX televised PDC majors this year.

Littler, 19, is chasing an unprecedented clean sweep of all 11 PDC Premier event titles in 2026 and has already built a staggering £3.1million lead at the top of the Order of Merit.

Footie star Lamine Yamal has also enjoyed a dream year, winning the World Cup with Spain and La Liga with Barcelona at the same age as The Nuke. But he has team-mates around him.

Oleksander Usyk remains boxing’s unbeaten heavyweight king but surrendered his WBC, WBA and IBF titles following just one fight this year.

Jannik Sinner has dominated tennis with Wimbledon glory and five consecutive Masters titles, but even he suffered disappointment at the French Open.

Littler said: “Obviously at the minute it’s hard to say. With Sinner winning Wimbledon.

“But yes, the way I’m winning games and the way I’m producing and picking up trophies, it’s probably the best out there.

“Obviously Spain won the World Cup and everyone is talking about Lamine Yamal.

“I mean he didn’t really do much, did he? Scored maybe one goal. Assisted, too.

“Is he the best 19-year-old in the world? No, he’s not!

“As long as I’m winning, playing well and picking up trophies, then that’s all that matters.”

Littler’s latest triumph came at the World Matchplay, where he defended his title in sensational fashion.

The teen sensation set a new tournament record average of 111.53 during a dominant week in Blackpool after crushing Gerwyn Price 18-9 in the final.

Despite his relentless success, Littler insists he no longer spends hours grinding away on the practice board.

Instead, he prefers to arrive at tournaments, loosen up and trust the work he has already put in over the years.

The two-time world champion credits those marathon practice sessions during the Covid pandemic for laying the foundations for his remarkable rise.

He added: “Some say it’s natural.

“But during Covid I was just doing silly hours on the board, seven or eight hours a day because there was nothing else to do.

“So I feel pretty comfortable coming to the venue. Obviously players have set times of maybe three or four hours.

“I mean I practice for 20-25 minutes, just relax again and then go back on the board.

“I’ve done enough work down the years. Now it’s just about relaxing.

“Every time I come to the venue it’s just about getting warm.

“I don’t practice to try and hit nine-darters or to hit big finishes.

“It’s just finding the treble and going on stage and producing my best. Taking my practice on to the stage.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning