Luke Littler has admitted he lost his head during his fourth-round PDC World Darts Championship win over Rob Cross, after being booed by the Alexandra Palace crowd. The 18-year-old defending champion beat Cross 4-2 but reacted angrily, gesturing to the crowd and later telling them: 'You guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize money, so thank you for my money, thank you for booing me.'
Littler, who has been the sport's darling since his emergence two years ago, said it was the first time at the world championships the crowd had not wanted him to win. 'I think I lost [my head], it's still on there,' he said. 'Two years ago I think I would have started throwing my darts left-handed, but that is how much I have grown, how much I have matured.'
The teenager acknowledged he still has learning to do, adding: 'People might say I have not matured, but try and be in my position. I can still learn a lot. I can learn how to deal with the crowd, not let as much emotion out, just keep it all in me until that final dart.'
Despite the turmoil, Littler produced a champion-like performance, averaging 106.5 and hitting 17 180s. 'It definitely fuelled me up and it made me play better,' he said. 'I am only a few games away from lifting the trophy once again but the performance really doesn't feel like a 106.5, because there was that much adrenaline going through me, that much emotion, the anger. I am glad I won.'
Littler will face Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski in the quarter-finals on Thursday, after Ratajski beat Luke Woodhouse 4-2. 'I will expect the worst on New Year's Day and whatever happens will happen,' Littler added.
