“It’s the one I haven’t got yet”: Luke Littler admits he feels vulnerable heading into the World Masters

Luke Littler has already won almost everything darts has to offer. He is a two-time world champion and the current world No.1. Still, there is one big TV title missing from his list, and he knows this week could be tricky. Littler heads to Milton Keynes for the Winmau World Masters, one of the few major titles he has not won yet. The other two missing are the World Cup of Darts and the European Championship. But the World Masters worries him a little more because of its short and sharp format.

The tournament is played at Arena MK and runs over four days. The first round is very quick. Matches are best of five sets, but each set has only three legs. That means a player can win six legs in a row and be through. Littler knows this format leaves very little room for error, even for someone as talented as him. Speaking honestly before the event, Littler admitted he could be caught out if he starts slowly.

Luke Littler on short format risk and his World Masters focus

Luke Littler knows this is not just another tournament, and with the World Masters using a short format, even small mistakes could cost him early. When asked if he is more vulnerable in this type of event, Littler said: “I’d say that. But if you think of it, it’s the same as the World Series, same as the Premier League. It’s six legs over two sets for the Masters. And then obviously, progressively it gets longer. It’s a very quick format, but I’ll be ready for it.”

Littler explained how important a fast start is in this tournament.
“Obviously, it’s the short format with the two sets involved. So you’ve got to be very quick. You’ve got to fly out of the traps. But we can only see what happens.”

Last year, Littler reached the quarter-finals but lost 4-2 to Jonny Clayton, who later lost the final to Luke Humphries. Despite being known for not practising much at home, Littler has changed his routine this time. He confirmed he has been putting in extra hours before the tournament.

“When I’m home, leading up to the Masters, that’s when I’ll practice,” he said.
“I’ll definitely be practising because it’s a title that I’ve not picked up yet, and I definitely want to go to Milton Keynes, and I want to become the Winmau champion.”

Littler opens his campaign against Mike De Decker on Thursday. He knows it will not be easy, but his goal is clear. “I wouldn’t say I’m fired up,” Littler added. “But I’ll definitely, definitely be ready for it. It’s one that I haven’t got yet, and I definitely want it.”

The World Masters is another step in Littler’s plan to win every major title under the Professional Darts Corporation banner.



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