Darts icon Phil Taylor was amazed to learn that Luke Littler plans to do minimal practice before defending his £1 million World Darts Championships title. Littler aims to become one of only five players to retain the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy as the highly anticipated darts tournament kicks off, with his first-round opponent being Lithuanian Darius Labanauskas.
Despite being just 18 years old from Warrington, Littler has surprised the 16-time world champion Taylor by opting for minimal practice ahead of the competition. Taylor, speaking on SunSport’s Flight Club, expressed his astonishment at Littler’s unconventional preparation strategy but acknowledged his confidence and natural talent.
In contrast to Littler’s approach, Taylor emphasized the mental aspect of the sport as a critical factor for players competing at Ally Pally. Reflecting on his own career, Taylor highlighted the importance of early mental preparation and avoiding over-practicing, especially with the significant prize money at stake this year.
Taylor advised players to focus on mindset and rest, cautioning against excessive practice leading to fatigue. He emphasized the need for players to strike a balance and ensure they are mentally and physically ready for the demanding three-week tournament.