Luke Littler’s Rise Impressed Phil Taylor but Pressure Awaits

Luke Littler has received endorsement from Phil Taylor as a potential future world champion with Taylor believing he could eventually break his record of 16 world titles. Littler, who made history earlier this month by becoming the youngest-ever PDC World Championship winner after defeating Michael van Gerwen has impressed Taylor with his meteoric rise. However, Taylor has cautioned Littler that the spotlight brings added pressure.

He likened it to the way football teams like Manchester United and Liverpool elevate their performance against top competitors. Taylor, who retired in 2024 after a legendary career, explained that Littler will face what he calls the “Man Utd syndrome,” where the rising star will encounter increased competition and pressure as his success motivates others to perform at their best.

Taylor noted that while Littler’s youth and success will give him an edge, the pressure to maintain that level in every match will be a challenge. Reflecting on his own journey, Taylor shared that he was 30 when he won his first world title and had already experienced significant challenges in his career. Despite his admiration for Littler, Taylor still believes he could have beaten him in his prime.

He expressed confidence that they would have had an exciting match but was unsure of the outcome. Phil Taylor also acknowledged the role Luke Littler has played in bringing new attention to darts, particularly among younger fans, calling the sport’s popularity surge “crazy.” While Taylor accepts the changing landscape of darts, he remains proud of his career and supportive of Littler’s future in the sport.