James Wade has claimed he ‘feels sorry’ for Luke Littler due to the amount of attention he’s received at such a young age.
Both players are getting ready for action at the World Darts Championships this week with the duo receiving byes from the first round.
Wade is a four-time World Championship semi-finalist with 26 major titles to his name and enters this year’s tournament as the No 16 seed.
But it’s the 17-year-old world No 4 who is the strong favourite to go all the way at the Alexandra Palace this festive period.
Luke Littler is the 4th seed for the World Darts ChampionshipGetty
Littler has already won 10 titles in his first year as a professional and reached the European Championship final last time out.
Having enjoyed such a strong start to his career, there have already been comparisons made between Littler and darts icon Phil Taylor.
Wade isn’t ready to put Littler in the same bracket as the 16-time world champion and has explained why he’s concerned for the talented teenager.
“I don’t think there’s anyone out there particularly dominant like Phil was, definitely not now,” he told the Mirror.
“Luke Humphries has been very, very good – and Luke Littler, we will see how good he is going to be. He has done some amazing things.
“But I feel sorry for him and I am really concerned for him when he turns 18.
“It could be really hard for him when he turns 18. He needs guidance, but he’s a lovely kid and he is in a rough man’s world.
“Has he got amazing talent and ability? Yes, he has. Has he got that burning desire that Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen had? No, he hasn’t.
Luke Littler is the favourite to win the World Darts Championship
PA
Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen had? No, he hasn’t.”He’s also breaking the mould, he is only going to have to play darts for 10 years to be financially set.”
Littler gets his tournament underway later this week when he faces the winner of Fallon Sherrock or Ryan Meikle.
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James Wade is concerned for Luke Littler
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He’s been drawn in the same half as defending champion Luke Humphries, meaning there won’t be a repeat of last year’s final.
The pair could potentially meet in the semi-finals, but Littler will first have to navigate some potentially tricky matches along the way.
Rob Cross, Nathan Aspinall and Danny Noppert have all been drawn into Littler’s section and are capable of big wins.
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