Michael van Gerwen has criticised world champion Luke Littler for retaining his Premier League rivals ready at a media day forward of the 2025 Premier League Darts.
Defending champion Littler and six-time winner Van Gerwen are among the many eight competing gamers who gathered in Belfast on Wednesday, a day earlier than the opening evening of the competitors takes place in Northern Eire.
Among the many gamers’ engagements on Wednesday was a gaggle shoot, at which Van Gerwen stated Littler arrived 45 minutes late too after oversleeping.
The pair are taking part in one another in Belfast in a rematch of final month’s World Championship ultimate, which noticed the then 17-year-old Littler blow Van Gerwen away to assert his maiden title.
“They need to stop treating him like a baby. He’s not a baby anymore, he’s 18 years old now,” Van Gerwen stated with a smile.
“It occurs. He has to be taught. You need to be taught the laborious approach. It is a skilled sport so it’s a must to be chargeable for your actions. Easy as that.
“If he turns up late for an interview, I don’t mind. But seven other people are waiting for him. That’s not very nice, is it?”
‘Tomorrow is a special day’ – MVG warns Littler
Van Gerwen earlier warned Littler that {the teenager}’s standing as Premier League defending champion will depend for nothing once they meet on the opening evening.
Littler final 12 months emulated Van Gerwen’s 2013 feat of profitable the Premier League on debut, earlier than ‘The Nuke’ went on to assert his maiden World Darts Championship title in January by beating the Dutchman within the ultimate.
The 18-year-old beat Van Gerwen once more later in January on the Dutch Darts Masters to additional enhance a one-sided head-to-head document, however the six-time Premier League champion is unfazed heading into their headline opening-night conflict in Belfast on Thursday.
Van Gerwen informed Sky Sports activities: “I gained on my debut, in opposition to Phil Taylor as effectively.
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Highlights of Luke Littler in opposition to Michael van Gerwen within the ultimate of the World Darts Championship
“But this is going to be a different day again. Everyone wants to win but there only can be one winner. Of course, everyone is going to need their points, but you have to take it week by week because it’s a long 17 weeks.
“It is a robust format. It is solely quick, so it’s a must to be sharp always straight from the start, and for those who do effectively there’s one other two video games ready. I really like performing on this match so I do not see any issues with this one.”
Van Gerwen appeared to have discovered one thing close to his greatest type on his method to the ultimate at Alexandra Palace as he sought a primary world title since 2019, however was blown away within the ultimate as Littler gained 7-3 to assert his maiden crown.
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Van Gerwen ditched his customary inexperienced shirt for his opening match on the World Masters. (credit score: ITV Sport)
The Dutchman added: “Most of the tournament I produced some really good darts and also my mental aspect of the game I think it was good.
“To lose is all the time annoying however I get plenty of positives out of this World Championship marketing campaign and transferring forwards I feel it solely might help me.”
Littler: I’ve got most of the wins over MVG
Littler appeared in a confident mood as he targeted a “fast begin” against Van Gerwen on Thursday.
“Clearly, I’ve acquired a lot of the wins over Michael,” Littler told Sky Sports. “However I am simply hoping for an additional fast begin and to ensure two factors on the board.
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Littler hit a nine-darter in the course of the Premier League Play-Off ultimate at London’s O2 area
“It feels amazing to come back and defend the Premier League, coming in as a world champion whereas last year you could say I was a wild card.
“I am filled with confidence however darts might be higher than what it was this time final 12 months. However I am hoping to get the win over Michael.”
Littler admits the best-of-11-legs format only serves to increase his confidence.
He said: “I completely love the format. That is the format I swimsuit most. Get off to a fast begin, win the primary two or three legs after which it’s laborious for the opponent to return again at me.”
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Van Gerwen praised ‘star’ Littler after his defeat within the World Darts Championship ultimate
Making his Premier League debut shortly after bursting onto the skilled scene on the 2023/2024 World Darts Championship, Littler admitted he discovered the match’s intense schedule difficult.
However worryingly for his rivals, he believes his expertise from final 12 months will solely enhance his probabilities this time round.
He stated: “The travel is probably one of the worst parts but I can take what happened last year and bring it into this year. I know what’s coming, I know what to expect and I can say I’m used to the schedule now.”
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