Darts icon Phil Taylor was amazed to learn about Luke Littler’s minimal practice routine as he prepares to defend the £1m World Darts Championships title. Littler aims to achieve the rare feat of retaining the Sid Waddell Trophy, with the prestigious tournament kicking off on Thursday night where he will face Lithuanian Darius Labanauskas in the opening round.
Despite being just 18 years old from Warrington, Littler plans to enter the competition with intentionally limited practice, surprising the 16-time world champion Taylor. Taylor, speaking on SunSport’s Flight Club, noted Littler’s unconventional preparation but expressed confidence in his potential success should he advance past the first round.
Taylor emphasized the mental aspect of the sport as a significant challenge for players at the Ally Pally, recalling his own rigorous practice regimen during his 31-year career. He highlighted the importance of mental readiness, early preparation, and avoiding over-practicing, especially with the increased stakes of the £1m prize pool this year.
Reflecting on his own approach to the World Championship, Taylor stressed the significance of mental preparation and finding the right balance in practice to sustain performance throughout the three-week competition.
