Luke Littler gave a classy reaction after his hopes of defending the World Grand Prix title were dashed in a shock defeat to Luke Woodhouse. Littler, 19, suffered a 2-1 loss against Woodhouse on the opening night of the competition in Leicester, while six-time champion Michael van Gerwen was also knocked out.
Littler's gracious message
World No.1 Littler came into Monday's match off the back of losing to Jonny Clayton in the World Series of Darts Finals quarter-finals earlier this month. The teenager won the first set but Woodhouse produced a comeback in the second and third to pull off a memorable victory.
Woodhouse will now face Nathan Aspinall in the last 16 after he beat Kevin Doets, and Littler hopes to see him go all the way. "Well played @lukewoody180," Littler posted on Instagram.
"Was a good game, good to be part of as well. Both hit, both missed but Luke took his chance. Nice week off now. All the best to Luke for the rest of the tournament."
Warrington Wolves opportunity
Littler followed that up by saying he's now able to watch his beloved Warrington Wolves in Saturday's Super League Grand Final. The game at Old Trafford would've clashed with the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix.
"May as well get myself to OT now I'm out," he added. "Let's go the Wire @warringtonrlfc."
Woodhouse's tribute
Woodhouse, meanwhile, knew that he had to capitalise on an off-day for the reigning world champion. "Luke's not a robot," the 37-year-old said.
"He's going to have days and weeks and whatever where he's not right on it. But people have echoed it and I'm going to say it again, he's one of a kind, Luke.
"I hope people will take the time to appreciate how good he is and not give him a hard time. You might not see another Luke Littler ever again."
It was a dramatic first day at the Leicester Arena, as Van Gerwen saw his bid to win the competition for a seventh time brought to an end by Ryan Joyce. Like Woodhouse, Joyce came from a set down to clinch the victory.
Two former World Grand Prix winners, Clayton and Gerwyn Price, also made it through to the next round. Price shone with an average of 101.61, only dropping only one leg to beat Sebastian Bialecki.
A quirk of the Grand Prix is that it uses a 'double in, double out' format in which a player must hit a double to start a leg and also to finish and win the leg. A total prize fund of £750,000 is on offer, with the winner due to pocket a cool £150,000.
