Premier League Darts: Luke Littler ‘not a robot’ highlights unspeakable emotions facing world number one in tearful winner’s interview | Darts News

Luke Littler’s tearful backstage interview after Premier League darts glory is a public reminder of the untold struggles sport’s biggest stars often face away from their arenas.

Littler won the Premier League title for the second time in three years after a remarkable final night at The O2, defeating Luke Humphries 11-10 in a dramatic final before holding off Garwyn Price in the final-leg decimator in the semi-final.

The last-leg victory over the defending champions avenged last year’s defeat to Humphries and capped a roller-coaster Premier League campaign for Littler, who overcame a slow start to claim six night wins and finish the regular season in top spot.

The past year has seen darts’ dominant force continue its trajectory from irrepressible fan favorite to player on the receiving end of regular booing, with Littler’s on-stage behavior and previous comments fueling – at times – some of the negative reception he has received.

Littler was involved in a heated final-leg loss to Gian van Veen in Manchester on April 2 before posting the worst average of his Premier League career at Brighton the following week, with the world number one still feeling the repercussions of those two performances on final night.

“After the incident at Brighton and Manchester (the argument with Gian van Veen), I sat at home and said to (his partner) Biswas, ‘I don’t want to do it (the Premier League) anymore, just the crowd every week’,” Littler said. told Sky Sports on stagebefore crying “I told him, ‘I’m bad’.”

There was little overt indication of any direct impact on Littler before this, who reached the next four nightly finals – winning three of them – and then opened the campaign with a semi-final finish, although it needed an outright win to reveal his true feelings.

“If I had lost (final night), no one would have known what I said on stage,” Littler admitted at his press conference. “I have to get it out there and let everybody know. I won’t say it’s the perfect time, because you want to celebrate, but I have to get it out there.

“I hope it (the cheering of the crowd) is a turning point. What I said on stage tonight, the tears, I’m not asking for sympathy, I just told the world. I told everyone how I felt during the Premier League and the biggest result (the trophy) is on my side.”

Shortly after Little’s interview, Humphries was comforted before speaking to his family and partner Faith, the only person who spoke fully about his Premier League unhappiness.

“I didn’t talk to my mom or dad about it (the struggle), maybe I should have, but I finally talked to Faith about it,” Littler later revealed to the written press. “After Manchester, it was just a bad place. Still after Brighton, it was really shocking.

“I’m glad that Faith was there for that conversation. I just kept telling him, ‘I don’t want to do it (Premier League), I don’t want to do it’. He just kept repeating himself and I kept repeating myself. Didn’t talk to anyone else.

“The crowd didn’t have to keep doing it (booing) for weeks and weeks and weeks. I won most weeks, but the boos were still there, the whistles were still there. I’ve got to forget all that now and take the trophy home.”

‘Darts need little ones, little ones don’t need darts’

Littler’s latest success continues a remarkable winning streak at PDC’s biggest events, having already defended his world title at Alexandra Palace before claiming the Winmow World Masters and UK Open this year.

Having experienced his own previous hostile reception after reaching the top of the world rankings, the world No 2 Humphries can relate to as one of the sport’s all-time greats questioning their enjoyment of the game.

“He (Littler) would never put darts down because you’re not going to do that – that’s why he is who he is, because he’s such a good darts player,” Humphries insisted in his press conference.

“I’ve had it before for no reason. After I beat Luke (Littler) at the world championships I had the crowd on my back. Everyone hates me for no reason and it’s tough.

“You’re at home and you don’t want to actually go and play darts, because it’s like everyone hates you and doesn’t want to see you play. I know what he’s going through but we all want to see him play.

“Darts need Luke Littler, Luke Littler doesn’t need Darts. That’s the truth. Everyone thinks he’s a robot but he’s not. He’s just a normal person and a good kid too.”

While Littler himself is aware of the historical perception associated with athletes — especially male ones — discussing emotions, the 19-year-old has received praise from both pundits and fans alike for addressing his emotions.

“I mean, we all have feelings, not just as darts players – we’re just people,” Littler explained. “We just want to get on with our lives and, frankly, I can’t believe I won.”

He later added: “We’re men, we don’t really want to talk, but I had to talk to Faith and tell her how I felt.”

On whether Littler would consider seeking advice from elsewhere, he said: “I’ve always told myself I don’t want to talk to a random person. They can give you the best advice, but I’ve always said just try and stick with it or just talk to the good ones.”

Littler already has his eye on Premier League triumphs, including the World Cup of Darts with Humphries and a World Matchplay title defence. Both live on Sky Sports – among the next on his radar next month.

“Obviously (winning the Premier League) is a huge relief. It’s been a long time – my adrenaline has gone so much. But yes, I must celebrate.”

Littler will be the overwhelming pre-tournament favorite whenever he steps on the stage for the foreseeable future. Time will tell if the emotional Premier League success will have a more positive reception from those watching.

Pike: Littler’s detractors should hang their heads in shame

Sky Sports’ Stuart Piketalk over Love the darts podcast:

“(Littler’s social media treatment) made me really angry on his behalf.

“You see things and it resonates for a while. But the little haters and hecklers should be absolutely ashamed of themselves and hang their heads in shame.

“At the end of the day, you know, he’s 19 years old. Yeah, he’s made a few mistakes on stage. So what?

“It’s like chasing sheep. One crowd does it so the next crowd thinks, ‘Well, we have to do it. Aren’t we smart?’

“No, you’re being stupid, you’re being really unfair, and you’re being really cruel to a guy who brought an amazing talent and changed this game forever.

“Just let him be. Enjoy him. Enjoy what he has to offer.

“160,000 people have bought Premier League tickets this year and many of them will come to see Luke Littler.

“So what on earth are they doing?”

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