Smith warns Littler risks facing “problems” if he keeps reacting to hostile fans

ROSS SMITH says “it’s going to create problems” for Luke Littler if he keeps reacting to hostile crowds.

The world No1 was booed and whistled at by Dutch fans during the World Series Finals last weekend in Amsterdam.

Littler, 19, was particularly frustrated during his dramatic 10-9 win over Nathan Aspinall when referee Charlie Corstorphine was forced to pause the match and address the arena.

The Nuke later threatened to stop playing events in the Netherlands if the jeers continued.

Littler’s bid to complete a clean sweep of the major PDC titles in 2026 was ended by Jonny Clayton in the quarter-finals, with the teen sarcastically applauding the Holland supporters after they celebrated his missed darts at double.

Smith, who went on to win the tournament after beating Gerwyn Price 11-5 in the final, believes players can help defuse the situation through the way they respond.

He told the Love the Darts podcast: “I think if you're aggressive towards the crowd and you're letting them know that it's affecting you and you're making them unhappy, it's not a good thing.

“I tried to, with Gian [van Veen], I had more banter with them, you know what I mean? Just like thumbs up to them, but smiling, not in an aggressive way and they sort of laugh with you, it's not a problem.

“I think it's how you can react on stage, if you're aggressive towards them, it's going to create problems for you.

“But like I said, I can't really comment on Luke because I wasn't playing in the games with Luke and I don't know what he actually went through, but they can be brutal at times.”

Smith returns to action on September 28 at the World Grand Prix, where he will face Cameron Menzies in the first round.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning