Luke Littler's 'Disrespectful' Comment Fuels World Masters Rivalry with Mike De Decker
Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler is set for a potentially awkward reunion at the World Masters this week, as he prepares to face off against familiar rival Mike De Decker in Milton Keynes. The match reignites a tense rivalry that has been simmering for some time, with Littler holding a dominant 7-0 career record over his Belgian opponent.
Littler's Confident Stance and Controversial Remarks
Nineteen-year-old Littler, a two-time world champion, heads into Friday's opening match at Arena MK with considerable confidence, bolstered by his perfect record against De Decker. This includes a comprehensive 3-0 victory at the World Grand Prix in October last year. However, it was Littler's post-match comments that have added significant spice to their ongoing feud.
Reflecting on that win, Littler described the encounter as "a bit boring", a remark that did not sit well with former professional darts player Vincent van der Voort. Speaking on the Darts Draait Door podcast, van der Voort criticised Littler's attitude, stating: "That's just a tap on the chin you give someone like De Decker. You don't have to say that. It's inappropriate and not very respectful."
Van der Voort's Scathing Critique and Crowd Dynamics
Van der Voort elaborated further, suggesting that Littler had relied on crowd support to secure a previous victory over De Decker at the Grand Slam of Darts. "At the Grand Slam, Littler actually needed the crowd to beat De Decker. And then to make comments like that about someone who won a tournament just last year - putting him down like that, I don't like it," he remarked.
Despite his disapproval, van der Voort acknowledged that the controversy could enhance the spectacle. "But at the same time, it adds a bit of spice. Hopefully De Decker will take that personally and go into their next match with fire in his belly," he added, highlighting the potential for heightened drama at the World Masters.
De Decker's Past Grievances and Crowd Frustrations
This is not the first instance of tension between the two players. Nearly a year prior to their World Grand Prix clash, De Decker suffered a narrow 10-9 defeat to Littler at the Grand Slam of Darts. Following that match, De Decker expressed significant frustration with the crowd's behaviour and the Professional Darts Corporation's response.
Speaking to Viaplay, De Decker criticised the crowd for booing him at crucial moments and questioned the effectiveness of official channels. "I asked [caller] Kirk Bevin to address the crowd, but he wouldn't even do that. Why is he even there then?" he fumed. He further lamented: "Filing a complaint? That won't do anything. The PDC will just say they will look into it, and then that's it. It's sad, but that's how it works."
World Masters Context and Broader Tournament Outlook
The World Masters is taking place at Arena MK, with the semi-finals and final scheduled for Sunday. The champion will pocket a substantial £100,000 from a total prize fund of £500,000, adding significant stakes to Littler and De Decker's encounter.
On the other side of the main draw, second seed Luke Humphries is poised to face Dave Chisnall, while third seed Gian van Veen has already advanced by beating Ryan Joyce, setting up a second-round contest against Nathan Aspinall. The tournament promises high-quality darts amid the personal rivalries unfolding on the oche.
Whether Littler's past comments will fuel De Decker's determination to finally secure a victory remains a key narrative. With a perfect record to defend and a motivated opponent seeking redemption, their World Masters clash is set to be a compelling chapter in their ongoing sporting duel.
