26-06-2025
Luke Littler breaks post World Cup silence as issues Madison Square Garden vow
The World Champion insists he is is over the Frankfurt flop after a break in Spain
Charged-up Luke Littler is flying solo again and ready to have some fun in New York.
The Nuke is back in individual combat again following the nightmare loss at the World Cup alongside team-mate Luke Humphries.
Littler was slaughtered by the German crowds during the event and also caned in the aftermath of the defeat making it an unpleasant experience.
However, the teenager is refreshed from a break in Spain and ready to at Madison Square Garden in the US Darts Masters.
Littler wants to forget the World Cup flop and said: 'Obviously me and Luke didn't play the best of darts. We didn't play too bad, very tough conditions, but now I'm on my own let's have some fun.
"There's plenty of darts left to be thrown in the second half of the year, which I'm looking forward to.
'The amount of majors that are involved at the minute, the amount of European tours that are left, but this would be really good to kickstart the second half of the season.'
Littler got himself away following the Frankfurt misery and is now preparing for a big crack at the second-half of the campaign.
Following America, the next Major takes place in Blackpool at next month with The World Matchplay and the stream of huge events heading into the defence of his World crown back at the Alexandra Palace at the end of the year.
Littler is gunning for Stateside success and kicks off his bid with a clash against PDC Tour Card Holder Jules van Dongen in the opening round with Michael van Gerwen also in the field.
He said: 'I'm feeling very, very confident. I've just had a family holiday in Spain, but now I'm here, I'll obviously practise before I play. Obviously, he's not playing the best of darts.
'He's going through quite a lot at the minute, but just trying to get another win here at the MSG. I think the first game in any tournament, it's always the biggest because you've got that winning feeling on stage and you know how to win. I just look forward to that.'
Littler, meanwhile, admits that he sees a day when the darts stars are showing off their skills in the main section of the iconic arena. As the sport continues to grow across the Atlantic, the audiences are going to grow and he believes a step-up will be coming soon.
Littler said: 'Obviously it feels good.
"I'm doing some media in the big arena, but I'm sure within a few years to come we'll be in here and we won't be in the little theatre.
It's pretty much like the O2. 15,000/20,000, but the way the data is going at the minute and obviously it's getting bigger over here in the States, I'm sure we'll sell this out within a few years.'
