Darts prodigy Luke Littler is preparing to compete at the World Masters this Friday with a clear objective: to secure another prestigious major title for his rapidly expanding collection. The reigning back-to-back world champion has articulated an ambitious goal of claiming victory in every significant televised darts tournament, and this event represents a crucial step towards that remarkable achievement.
Chasing the Complete Set of Major Honours
Following an astonishing first two years on the professional circuit, Littler now requires only three more televised titles to accomplish his sweeping ambition. Alongside the World Masters held in Milton Keynes, the European Championship and the World Cup of Darts remain on his checklist. This weekend's tournament presents a prime opportunity for the young star to edge closer to an unprecedented clean sweep of the sport's premier events.
Focused Preparation and Tournament Mindset
Fresh from birthday celebrations in Dubai, the 19-year-old phenom expressed his determination to succeed in Milton Keynes. "It's a title that I've not picked up yet and I definitely want to go to Milton Keynes and I want to become champion," Littler stated with characteristic confidence. While acknowledging he wouldn't describe himself as "fired up," he emphasised his readiness, noting, "I'll definitely, definitely be ready for it. It's one that I haven't got yet and definitely want it."
This marks only Littler's second appearance at the tournament, adding to his motivation. "I'll be going to Milton Keynes only for the second time now. It's a tournament I want to win," he affirmed, demonstrating his focused approach to each competition.
Navigating the Short-Format Challenge
The World Masters presents a distinctive challenge with its rapid two-set format, requiring players to establish momentum immediately. Littler acknowledged this dynamic, explaining, "Obviously, it's the short format with the two sets involved. So you've got to be very quick. You've got to fly out the traps. But we can only see what happens next weekend."
While Littler has demonstrated near-invincibility in longer format matches, he recognises his relative vulnerability in shorter contests where opponents can capitalise on slow starts. This awareness shapes his preparation for the Milton Keynes event.
Learning from Past Experiences
Reflecting on last year's tournament where he reached the quarter-finals before losing to Jonny Clayton, Littler analysed his performance: "Obviously last year in the Masters I think I played pretty well early on against I think Andy Baetens and then James Wade and then maybe someone else and then I lost out to Jonny (Clayton)." He accepts the format's demands, stating, "It is what it is, that's the format, that's what we've got to get used to. I'll be more than ready."
Comparing the World Masters format to other competitions, Littler noted, "I'd say that. But it's the same as the World Series, same as the Premier League. It's six legs over two sets for the Masters. And then obviously, progressively it gets longer. Yeah, it's a very quick format, but I'll be ready for it."
Opening Round Challenge Against De Decker
The draw has presented Littler with a demanding opening match against Mike De Decker, ensuring no easy path to later rounds. Despite this tough start, Littler has vowed to maintain vigilance and avoid being caught cold in the abbreviated format. His combination of raw talent, competitive drive, and growing experience makes him the favourite to triumph in Milton Keynes as he continues his quest to dominate darts' most celebrated stages.
