A look at Luke Littler’s reaction after a thrilling Last 16 matchup with Mike De Decker at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts.
The 17 year old was certain he was going home after being 8-4 down but prevailed in world-class fashion to go through to the last eight.
The 17 year old was certain he was going home after being 8-4 down but prevailed in world-class fashion to go through to the last eight.
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00:00Do you think about getting to Sunday or do you just do the cliché one match at a time?
00:06I'll just focus on Jermaine, I'll chill out tomorrow and then I'll come back Saturday better, hopefully.
00:14What's the feeling like when the crowd are chanting his honour, because that's the song that Phil Taylor used to hear every time he told the hockey?
00:21It's a crazy feeling, but I just can't thank them enough for tonight. Hopefully on Saturday they can be as better as that again.
00:35It seems like you're playing almost with a point to prove, I think every game has been over a ton. You've threatened a nine-darter about two or three times now, do you feel like you still need to remind people,
00:46I'm Premier League champion, I've won nine titles this year, don't count me out.
00:51I've just got to play my darts, like I said, heading into the World's, I need a good run in this and so far I'm happy.
00:59Then do whatever on Saturday and hopefully Sunday and then focus on my head. It's practice for the World's, but I'd like to win this one.
01:08And next match it is the best of 31, you've never played that in leg play, you have played a World Championship final, do you prepare any differently for a match of that length?
01:17I know obviously you've got the breaks, so I just think to myself, first five again and then five again.
01:24I've always said it, you're on till the end now, you're on the stage, just do your best.
01:29Cheers Luke, big well done, thank you.
01:31Luke, something Michael Van Gerwen had so much success over his career was being so unstoppable in last leg deciders.
01:37Is that something that you know that you can add to your game and how important would that be to add to your game?
01:42It's the ball, when you throw for the ball in the backstage, it's probably the biggest thing because you do throw for the match if it does go all the way.
01:53I said on stage there when I was 9-7 down, I was releasing my dart just a bit later.
01:58So I wasn't rushing it and then 140, 140, 135 and then I took it.
02:03So hopefully I'll do the throw again and play it all the way through.
02:08And just how much do you actually learn from being so against the wall, really close to going out of a tournament?
02:14I mean, it must give you real confidence to know that you can come through this and actually win the game.
02:19I know myself I can always come back.
02:22But like I just said, that was a bit scary when his foreleg's clear and he's playing that well.
02:28But I know myself I can dig deep and get over the line.
02:31Cheers Luke, thank you.
02:32Luke, I'm not sure if you're aware, I hope you've looked at the rankings,
02:35but you and your pal Aspinall have had some great banter over the Premier League.
02:39Just one more win here and you actually top him in the rankings.
02:42Will that be on your mind? Will you send a message to him if you do so?
02:47I probably won't.
02:48But I know up until tonight I've already gone up two, three places.
02:53And I'm just focusing on getting even higher in the rankings, whether it's not this week, next week, hopefully the World's.
03:02How much would it mean to you if you did become that number one in your stable?
03:06I think there's a lot to win. I think I might have to win for these last three of the year.
03:10But now I just want to do my best, go deep into the tournament and then focus on the World's.
03:15Just on Sky there, Mark Webster mentioned that if you were to get through this match,
03:22that he can't see anyone stopping you going on and lifting.
03:25Do you feel that sense of unbeatability?
03:28Mark's probably said that because of the opponents who were left in it.
03:34But you can't knock Jermain off, he's a brilliant player.
03:39And that's why he got to the European final and this is why he's in the quarters.
03:44So I've just got to play the board.