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6 months ago
17
Luke Littler's rapid rise has annoyed some of his rivals according to former darts world champion Luke Littler.
The 17-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise in the sport, reaching the World Darts Championship final at the age of 16, and is top of the Premier League Darts standings after claiming four victories.
Michael Smith will meet Littler in the semi-finals of the play-offs on Thursday at the 02 Arena.
Ahead of their meeting, the 2023 world champion has revealed that some players are annoyed at Littler, but insists that they shouldn't be bothered at the opportunities he receives.
As per the Independent, he said: 'There's a few getting upset with it but listen my pockets get full every time he gets mentioned.
Luke Littler has annoyed some of his rivals due to his success according to Michael Smith
Smith joked that his 'pockets get full' every time Littler is mentioned and says other players shouldn't be bothered about his success
'I think they are getting annoyed. I had it last year (after winning the world championship), Littler is getting it all now.'
He added: 'The people at 70, 80, 90 all they should think about is that their money is going to keep going up and up and up.The more this kid is playing, we get better sponsors, hopefully Eddie (Hearn) puts the prize money up again, £1,000 to £1,500 on the ProTour.
'My money is just going to keep going up because some kid is doing it for me. I'm not annoyed and the other players shouldn't either, the kid is doing nothing wrong.
'People are annoyed that he got in (the Premier League) and I can say there's a couple of the boys in the top 16 who are annoyed. But he is going to pocket us so much money.'
Littler has become the most recognisable face in darts with his instant success thrusting darts into the mainstream.
Smith credited Littler for helping the sport get to a point where only Premier League football in the UK is doing 'better ratings'.
Smith, who won the world championship in 2023, faces Littler in the semi-finals of the play-offs on Thursday
Ahead of their semi-final this coming week, Littler had the chance to win a record-breaking fifth night of Premier League darts in Sheffield on Thursday.
In the semi-final on the night, Littler was up against Smith, and despite racing to a 4-1 lead, Smith came back into the contest and sneaked through to the final by winning six legs to five.
Smith would go on to defeat Luke Humphries in the final, earning his place in the play-offs.
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