Darts icon Phil Taylor was amazed by Luke Littler’s revelation of his minimal practice plan before defending the £1 million World Darts Championships title. Littler aims to join the exclusive club of four who have retained the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy. The high-stakes tournament kicks off on Thursday night, with Littler facing off against Lithuanian Darius Labanauskas in the opening round.
Despite being just 18 years old from Warrington, Littler plans to enter the competition with deliberately limited practice, surprising the legendary 16-time world champion Taylor. During an interview on SunSport’s Flight Club, Taylor expressed his astonishment at Littler’s unconventional preparation approach. Taylor noted that Littler’s confidence is high, recalling a recent incident in Finland where Littler refrained from practicing, yet delivered an impressive performance on stage.
In contrast to Littler’s unconventional strategy, Taylor emphasized the mental aspect of the sport as the primary challenge for players at the prestigious Ally Pally venue. Reflecting on his own rigorous practice routines during his three-decade professional career, Taylor stressed the importance of mental preparedness, highlighting the significance of early mental conditioning and adequate rest to avoid over-exertion and fatigue. With the substantial £1 million prize at stake this year, Taylor cautioned against excessive practice, advising players to strike a balance and ensure optimal physical and mental readiness for the demanding three-week competition.