Luke Littler celebrated becoming the world number one by winning the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton on Sunday. The 18-year-old's ascent to the top of the PDC rankings was confirmed after his semi-final win against Danny Noppert, setting up a final against Luke Humphries, whom he replaced at the summit. Littler triumphed 16-11 to become just the fourth man to defend the title.
Littler's rise has been meteoric since his record-breaking run to the final of the 2024 World Championship. He became the youngest world champion a year later and has since become a global star. Now officially the youngest world number one, he beats Michael van Gerwen's record; van Gerwen was 24 when he first topped the rankings in 2014.
After reaching the final, Littler said: 'It's not even been two years, I have not even spent two years on tour and I am already world No 1. That is job done, now I am world No 1. I am the best in the world.' He added after beating Humphries: 'No one, me, Luke, we're never ever going to run away with anything. It's always going to be close.'
The rivalry between Littler and Humphries has drawn comparisons to tennis's Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner or golf's Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. The pair delivered another epic major final, their fourth of the year, with Littler emerging victorious. The decisive moment came when he checked out a 167 to level at 8-8 and then took out 160 to lead 11-9.
Humphries, who beat Gerwyn Price to reach the final, can regain top spot at the World Championship next month if he wins and Littler goes out early. 'This is the last day as No 1, I've been so happy and proud of myself,' Humphries said. 'When it gets to the worlds, I've got one opportunity to take it back from him. I'll be fighting hard, it's a war now!'
