Darts legend Phil Taylor has shared two crucial pieces of advice for new world champion Luke Littler: invest in proper footwear and get enough sleep.
Taylor, who remains in regular contact with Littler’s family, emphasised the importance of comfortable shoes at the oche.
“If you’re not standing comfortably, you’re not going to hit a target the size of your little fingernail, so make sure your shoes fit perfectly and take two or three pairs with you everywhere,” Taylor said.
The 64-year-old also stressed the significance of rest, revealing: “I still take a mattress topper with me everywhere I go because some hotels beds are like sleeping in the middle of the road.”
Luke Littler is the youngest world champion
REUTERS
Taylor believes 17-year-old Littler could surpass his record of 16 world titles, given the teenager’s remarkable early start in the sport.
The contrast in their career beginnings is stark, with Taylor claiming his first world championship at nearly 30 in 1990.
Littler has already made history as the youngest darts world champion ever after defeating Michael van Gerwen.
“It’s entirely up to Luke how long he plays, how dedicated he remains and many titles he wins,” Taylor said.
“For now, just let the kid play. He’s a world champion at 17 years old, the youngest to do it by a mile, and he’s just brilliant.”
Phil Taylor knows how to stay at the top of the game for years
PA
Taylor reflected on his own journey to becoming a darts legend, sharing insights about his remarkable achievements.
“I was nearly 30 when I won my first world championship, and Paul Lim won more than twice as much as me for hitting a nine-darter as I got for winning the whole thing,” he recalled.
The champion explained the dedication required for his success: “To win 16 of them in a 23-year period took a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifices.”
“Only Luke himself knows, deep down, if he is prepared to put in the hours, and it’s up to him whether he wins another one, or five, or 15, 16, 17 and goes past me – but he’s young enough to do it.”
Taylor emphasised the importance of letting Littler enjoy his current success without too much pressure.
“Let’s enjoy him, let’s celebrate a kid who is the best in the world at what he does, and worry later about how much he’s achieved when he decides to stop,” Taylor said.
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Luke Littler still has to win 15 more world titles to match Phil Taylor
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He added an optimistic prediction about Littler’s future potential.
“If he’s still playing at 40, it will mean he’s won a lot more,” Taylor remarked.
The young champion is set to return to competition at the Bahrain Darts Masters on January 16, where he aims to retain his title.
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