TAYLOR WARNS LITTLER RIVALS WILL HATE HIM

PHIL TAYLOR has warned Luke Littler that players will “hate him” after the teen sensation became world No1.

‘The Nuke’ became the youngest player to top the PDC Order of Merit after winning back-to-back Grand Slam titles.

Warrington thrower Littler has lifted five of the seven ranked televised titles this season, with only the World Masters and European Championship denying him a clean sweep.

16-time world champ Taylor always knew Littler would be the best in the world.

He told talkSPORT: “Oh, definitely. 100%. It was only a matter of time before he was No. 1 — that was never in doubt,”

“It’s just the way he is. He conducts himself brilliantly. He’s a lovely lad — very quiet.

“He’s not a party animal, which impressed me because he’s not money-motivated.

“He just gets on with it. He doesn’t get flustered, the limelight doesn’t bother him, and he takes everything on the chin. I think he’s great.”

Littler has banked over £1.8million in prize money as he approaches his 19th birthday in January.

By comparison, Taylor was grafting in a metal factory on just £40 a week at the same age.

But with Littler now ruling the sport, Taylor has warned the youngster that players will soon dislike him for sweeping up the biggest trophies.

The legendary Taylor says he went through the exact same thing during his prime.

He added: “Oh yeah, all the time.

“You get disliked for it — lots of jealousy. You’re the one winning all the money, stopping others making a good living.

“If Luke wins a million pounds by January 3rd, the players will hate him — of course they will. Everybody wants to beat him.”

Littler returns to action on Friday at the Players Championship Finals when he faces Jeffrey de Graaf in round one.

Image by Taylor Lanning.