World Matchplay Darts: Luke Littler attracts contemporary Phil Taylor comparisons after historic record-breaking Blackpool victory

Luke Littler has reiterated his dream to turn out to be the ‘greatest darts player ever’ after his dominant Betfred World Matchplay title defence, with the world No 1’s newest win drawing additional comparisons to Phil Taylor’s previous record-breaking success.

Littler capped off a historic week at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens changing into the primary participant since Michael van Gerwen to efficiently defend his title, persevering with his report of successful each PDC main title in 2026 thus far.

The e-book of darting superlatives is quickly working out of pages to explain Littler’s brilliance, with {the teenager} persevering with to climb to generational heights within the sport and overtake many information held by childhood idol Taylor.

Littler had already defended titles on the World Championship and the UK Open, plus received the Winmau World Masters, Premier League and the World Cup of Darts, with the 19-year-old now chasing extra success within the months and years forward.

“I don’t think anyone has ever won every major in the calendar year and that is what we are pushing for,” Littler informed Sky Sports activities. “The household, they’re at all times backing me one million per cent and that’s what drives me on.

“I might completely like to be the best dart participant there ever has been. As I’ve at all times mentioned, I’ve obtained to win 16 of those, 16 worlds, after which take a look at no matter else Phil Taylor did win.

“I have got plenty more years. When am I going to retire? Who knows. I have still got plenty more years left in the tank.”

Littler smashed the best event common, posting 111.04 throughout his 5 matches to beat Taylor’s 2010 earlier better of 106.31, plus broke his personal report of most 180s at a World Matchplay.

“I am very happy with myself and the performances, not only in the final but the past eight days, every round,” Littler added. “It is crazy to say that the 109 average was my worst average throughout the tournament!”

Why time is required in Taylor comparisons

Littler could have his fingers again on the trophy named after Taylor, however he would want to win each World Matchplay till 2040 simply to equal the all-time title tally of ‘The Energy’.

In 2007, six months after Luke Littler was born, Phil Taylor made a quarter-final exit on the World Matchplay – simply the second time this century that ‘The Energy’ had been crushed on the Winter Gardens stage.

Seven years later, the week after Littler left 12 months two of main college, Taylor had nonetheless not misplaced one other match on the occasion and was closing out a seventh consecutive World Matchplay title.

Taylor received a report 38 consecutive matches throughout that title streak and misplaced simply eight instances in his 24-year profession on the World Matchplay, with no participant since coming remotely near beating these extraordinary achievements.

The trophy comparisons could also be a mismatch however the scoring variations between the 2 are actually not, with Littler posting the second-highest event successful common within the sport’s historical past and simply 0.5 factors behind Taylor’s 2009 European Championship win – regardless of taking part in over double the legs Taylor did that week

“I can still get better,” Littler insisted in his press convention. “I can obviously get a lot better. Through the matches I was up to a 120 average at one point. I didn’t stick at it, but maybe in a few years’ time I will stick at it and go up to that when the match is finished.

“On the minute, I am taking part in among the finest stuff and I’ve simply obtained to maintain it there.”

Littler was described by Price as “one in one million” and has taken loads of plaudits from his friends for his run to a different TV title, along with his success extra spectacular given the rising depth on the prime of sport.

“Luke’s dominance over the last 12 months has been very Taylor-esque and that’s why he’s reached that figure (£3m in prize money), which is a huge figure and one that we’ve never had before,” PDC chief government Matt Porter informed Sky Sports activities.

“I don’t think the mentality of the opponents is the same (as Taylor’s era). 20-odd years ago, players would see getting to the final as their championship.

“You would not get that reply off Gerwyn Value, you would not get it off Luke Humphries, Michael Van Gerwen, Steven Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, Jonny Clayton – these guys should not right here to make up the numbers.

“Luke at the moment is almost unstoppable. Nobody’s ever unstoppable, but with the way he’s playing, someone’s really going to have to up their game if they’re going to beat him.”

What’s subsequent for Littler?

Additional title defences on the Boyle Sports activities World Grand Prix (September 28-October 4) and Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) are to come back for Littler, who already holds a record-breaking benefit on the prime of PDC rankings.

Littler will look to assert his elusive TV ranked title on the European Championship (October 22-25), whereas successful all three would depart him simply requiring the Gamers Championship Finals (November 27-29) to finish a sweep of each main and large TV occasion in a calendar 12 months.

Phil Taylor’s spectacular 2009 season did not comprise the Premier League title or the World Cup of Darts, which did not launch till the next 12 months, whereas Van Gerwen’s 2016 dominance was additionally lacking World Cup glory. Littler has the possibility to surpass each along with his marketing campaign.

Littler has been skipping ProTour occasions in the course of the season to depart qualification for the Gamers Championship Finals doubtful, though his newest win – and ideas of claiming all of the majors in the identical – has modified his schedule plans over the approaching months.

“Coming into the tournament I’d won every major so far so this is what I wanted to do,” Littler defined. “I have been checking the Pro Tour rankings – whoever is in 64th (final qualification spot) just keeps going up and up!

“I do know there’s 4 (Gamers Championship occasions) in Leicester I’ve obtained to go to now. If I do not qualify I’ll get grilled and if I qualify I’ll get grilled anyway, so who is aware of what’s going to occur.”

Littler has already cemented himself as one of the darting greats in just over two and a half years as a professional. The thought of him getting even better in pursuit of more records is a terrifying – but exciting – prospect.

Watch Luke Littler’s push for more TV silverware live on Sky Sports, including the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and the World Darts Championship. Stream darts and extra prime sport with no contract.