PDC

'He can go away now!' - Damon Heta jokes he's fed up with Luke Littler ahead of 2025 World Matchplay

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Jul 18, 2025 9:59 AM ET

Damon Heta has been one of those players on the cusp of a major breakthrough for a while now. Could the 2025 World Matchplay be the event the Australian number one finally takes the next step in the PDC?

Well, if Heta is to break new ground in Blackpool this time around, the Aussie will have to first overcome former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding in the opening round. "I’ve played him a few times. Tit for tat, I think. I’m not sure about our head-to-head, but I know I’ve beaten him and he’s beaten me," previews Heta in an interview with TalkSport. "I just know I’ve got to roll up on the day and play my best darts — and I think I’ll get over the line."

A former World Matchplay quarter-finalist, Heta's best ever run at a TV major came at the 2024 UK Open in Minehead. En route to that semi-final placing, the Australian defeated a certain Luke Littler as well in a classic encounter.

When Littler's name was brought up in Heta's TalkSport interview however, 'The Heat' quickly tried to change the subject. "Yeah, he can go away now, you know what I mean?" Heta laughed, clearly in good humour. "He’s done his work — young punk!"

In good spirits, Heta is also heading to Blackpool with confidence in his own abilities and form. "I just won a ProTour the other week, so that’s not too bad — a bit of confidence going in. I find myself as a consistent player. I’m always on the board practicing, so my lows aren’t really that low. That’s how I see it," he evaluates. "And when I do play really well, things happen for me. I’ve been going pretty steady throughout my whole career, you know what I mean? I haven’t had any big losses or big dips — it’s all been on the up for me. And I think that’s just down to hard work and practicing all the time."

"You know, I’m one of those that’s always on the practice board," he reiterates. "Whereas you’ll see peaks and troughs with a lot of the other players because they admit they don’t practice all the time."

"I always practice by myself. I’ve got a practice partner once a week with Jim Williams. But other than that, I haven’t really sourced out someone to coach me," Heta concludes. "I think when you get to these levels, it’s more of a mental game — because everyone’s got the ability to hit 100 averages and nine-darters and stuff. But it’s just what’s between the ears when it comes to moments in games, and always having that winning ability."

As mentioned, Heta faces 'Goldfinger' Andrew Gilding in the opening round of the 2025 World Matchplay, with the pair set to meet on the afternoon of Sunday, July 20th at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.