Teenage darts world champion Luke Littler delivered a masterclass in handling pressure and hostility, firing back at a booing Alexandra Palace crowd with a brilliantly sarcastic retort during his World Darts Championship last-16 victory.
Littler's Fiery Response to Hostile Atmosphere
The 18-year-old sensation faced a partisan crowd largely supporting his opponent, former champion Rob Cross, during their clash on Monday evening. Despite the audible jeers, Littler maintained his focus to secure a 4-2 win, posting an impressive tournament average of 106.58.
After dropping a set, Littler responded emphatically on the oche, averaging a staggering 125.25 in the third set to seize control of the match. It was after his triumph, however, that he truly addressed the crowd's antagonism. Speaking to Sky Sports amidst the jeers, Littler said: "I'm not bothered. Really not bothered. You guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize so thanks for booing me."
He added defiantly: "No one wanted me to win but I proved them wrong yet again."
A History of Playful Crowd Banter
This is not the first time the young champion has engaged in cheeky exchanges with spectators. In a notable incident during a 2024 Premier League fixture in Liverpool, the Manchester United supporter cupped his ears towards the crowd and gestured '2-0' with his fingers, referencing Everton's victory over Liverpool.
Reflecting on his approach to crowd interaction, Littler has previously stated: "I'm just gonna expect the worst. If it's not that bad then I'll take it as a positive. Fans can't really take the banter but that's all I do is have a bit of banter."
Pundit Reaction and Looking Ahead
Sky Sports analyst Wayne Mardle commented on Littler's combative performance, noting: "He was being annoyed and kind of angered through that game. And look, this is when winning...this is how the emotion comes out. We've not really seen that from him, we know he's got something in him that's like, 'I want to, kind of, keep them quiet.'"
Mardle also cautioned about the potential pitfalls of alienating supporters, referencing the experiences of other players like Gerwyn Price.
With his place in the quarter-finals secured, Littler will now enjoy a short break before returning to action on New Year's Day. He is set to face the winner of the match between Luke Woodhouse and Krzysztof Ratajski, who play on Tuesday afternoon.
