Darts icon Phil Taylor was surprised to learn about Luke Littler’s minimal practice routine as he prepares to defend the £1m World Darts Championships title. Littler aims to join the exclusive group of four players who have successfully retained the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy, with the tournament kicking off on Thursday night and Littler facing Lithuanian Darius Labanauskas in the opening round.
Despite being just 18 years old and hailing from Warrington, Littler plans to enter the competition with deliberately limited practice, a decision that has astonished the 16-time world champion Taylor. Taylor shared his thoughts on the matter during an interview with SunSport’s Flight Club, expressing confidence that if Littler progresses past the initial round, his performance will soar.
Taylor recounted his experience with Littler in Finland, where the young player displayed exceptional confidence despite minimal preparation, opting not to practice before hitting the stage and delivering an impressive performance. Taylor emphasized the mental aspect of darts, highlighting the importance of early mental preparation and avoiding excessive practice to prevent fatigue during the three-week tournament.
As players gear up for the high-stakes event at Ally Pally, Taylor stressed the significance of mental readiness and cautioned against overtraining, noting the allure of the substantial prize money at stake. Taylor urged players to strike a balance in their practice regimen, ensuring they enter each match fresh and alert to maintain peak performance levels throughout the competition.
