Luke Littler has admitted he lost his head during his fourth-round PDC World Darts Championship victory over Rob Cross, after being booed by the crowd at Alexandra Palace. The 18-year-old defending champion beat Cross 4-2 to reach the quarter-finals, but reacted emotionally to the hostile atmosphere.
After hitting the winning darts, Littler ran around the stage gesturing to the crowd, who had been supporting Cross. In his on-stage interview, he told fans: 'You guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize money, so thank you for my money, thank you for booing me.'
Littler acknowledged his reaction was a learning experience. 'I think I lost [my head],' he said. 'Two years ago I think I would have started throwing my darts left-handed, but that is how much I have grown. People might say I have not matured, but try and be in my position. I can still learn a lot.'
Despite the distraction, Littler produced a champion-like performance, averaging 106.5 and hitting 17 180s. 'It definitely fuelled me up and made me play better,' he added. 'There was that much adrenaline, 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.
