'Shouting rubbish rubbish, someone even said I was washed': Luke Littler shrugs off crowd taunts in sealing Australian Darts Masters

Luke Littler fired back at a vocal section of the crowd in the best way possible — by lifting the Australian Darts Masters title. From his very first match in Wollongong, the 18-year-old world champion was aware of a group to his right who were quick to pounce on any missed treble, and they saved their loudest taunts for the final against Mike De Decker.

“In the final, every time I didn’t hit a treble they were shouting, ‘Rubbish, rubbish.’ Someone even said I was washed,” Littler revealed. “I’m not sure what he meant, but I’ve just won — like I said, the darts did the talking.”

The teenager’s ability to handle the jeers showed a maturity beyond his years. “I think for myself, the first time I hear it, I’ll react,” he admitted. “But then I’ll let it go by and just let my darts do the talking. No one’s taught me how to deal with much — you’re on stage alone, no one else is going to help you. You’ve just got to get on with it.”

The result was especially sweet for Littler, who had fallen short in last year’s final on debut. “I think any losing final motivates me because you always want to come back and do one better,” he said. “Debut last year didn’t go to plan, but second time lucky.”

That winning habit has returned in force. Littler admitted he had been frustrated earlier in the summer after going five months without a title before lifting the Betfred World Matchplay trophy in Blackpool. Now, just a fortnight later, he has added another. “As a world champion, you need to be winning things,” he explained. “It took five months, but to go on and win the Matchplay meant everything. Now I’ve won here as well, and I’ve just got that winning feeling back in me.”

He also believes this is the most confident he has felt in a long time. “Obviously there’s a difference when you’re world champion, but I felt confident going into the Matchplay and this is the most confident I’ve felt for a very long time.”

Remarkably, Littler revealed he hadn’t thrown a dart between Blackpool and arriving in Australia. “I practised really well for the Matchplay and went on to win it, so I think I’ll practise for the big ones,” he smiled.

The teenager will now head to New Zealand for the second leg of the World Series double-header and hopes to enjoy the country before returning to competitive mode. “It’s only my second time coming. I didn’t do much last year, but I think we can make the most of four or five days. Once Friday comes, that’s when the darts start again.”

On his opponents in Wollongong, Littler welcomed the PDC’s decision to include players outside the Premier League contingent. “They get the call-up because a few of the Premier League players don’t want to come over here,” he said. “Then they’ll go down the list, look at rankings or see who’s played well recently. It’s a good opportunity for them and they should be very proud of themselves.”

As for his own schedule for the rest of the season, Littler remained tight-lipped. “I’ve seen the calendar and what’s coming up, and everyone will see what I’m playing and what I’m not playing,” he teased, before confirming: “No, I’m not going to play the World Youth Championship.”

Away from darts, the lifelong Manchester United fan was buoyed by the club’s summer signing of Benjamin Šeško. “I’m very, very excited,” he said. “I think we’re underdogs after last season. I don’t think anything worse could happen unless we finish 16th. But I think it’s going to be a very interesting season and most clubs won’t expect it — I’m expecting top five.”