Van Duijvenbode admits he was “annoyed” by Littler attention

DIRK VAN DUIJVENBODE admits he was “annoyed” by the focus on Luke Littler ahead of their World Matchplay showdown.

The world No23 reached his first major semi-final since the 2024 Players Championship Finals after a stunning Winter Gardens campaign, defeating Chris Dobey, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson along the way.

Van Duijvenbode, 34, struggled for form before his Blackpool charge, winning just ONE televised match all year before the tournament after edging past Andy Baetens 3-2 at the World Championship.

The Aubergenius was delighted with his run but was left frustrated after Littler’s sensational 110.88 average powered him to a dominant 17-5 victory.

He told De Telegraaf: “I’m not surprised. But it wasn’t to be expected. I just haven’t had my best year, but I know I can do it.

“The opponents I beat are all players I’ve beaten before. So it wasn’t like I thought it was impossible to get this far.

“I’m pleased with the week, but not with the semi-final.”

Van Duijvenbode found himself facing the sport’s biggest star in the last four, with Littler chasing an unprecedent clean sweep of all the majors this season.

But before the clash even began, the Dutchman was irritated by the attention surrounding the teen sensation.

He added: “That annoyed me. As far as I know, I’m in the semi-final too, and that’s more special than him being there.

“The fact he’s throwing well isn’t strange either. And then the questions are still about him.”

Littler showed exactly why he is regarded as the best player in the world after finishing the tournament with a record 111.04 average and thrashing Gerwyn Price 18-9 in the final.

Van Duijvenbode conceded there was little he could do against a player producing that level of darts.

He continued: “It makes no sense at all. You turn around and he hits another 180.

“At first you’re annoyed, because whether you lose big or not, I also just didn’t play great.

“But yeah, whether you lose 17-15 or 17-5, who cares! You’ve lost and you can go home.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning