Darts Legend Phil Taylor Sees Luke Littler as His Potential Successor
Phil Taylor, the retired darts icon, has made a surprising admission. He believes teenage sensation Luke Littler possesses a genuine chance to surpass his historic tally of World Darts Championship titles.
Taylor's Candid Assessment of Littler's Potential
In a recent interview, Taylor did not hold back his praise for the young champion. "I think he's got a bloody good chance, I'll be honest with you," Taylor stated with a smile. The 65-year-old legend, who stepped away from professional darts eight years ago, added a humorous note about his own longevity. "Well, hopefully, when he does break my records, I'll be dead and gone. So I won't have to listen to anybody else saying it!"
Taylor's comments came after Littler secured his second consecutive world title on January 3rd. The young player, nicknamed 'The Nuke', delivered a dominant performance. He defeated Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final, showcasing his formidable skill.
A Hypothetical Showdown: Taylor vs. Littler
Addressing a classic fan debate, Taylor speculated on a dream match-up. He imagined facing Littler during their respective prime years. "It would have been a cracker. It would have been a brilliant game," Taylor said. He gave his honest prediction about the outcome. "I honestly think at my best and his best it's 50-50. I really do."
He compared the scenario to other sporting greats. "It's like, would Muhammad Ali beat Tyson Fury? Whoever's the best on the day, I suppose."
Analyzing Their Different Strengths
Taylor, who dominated the sport between 1995 and 2006 with 11 titles, acknowledged Littler's exceptional natural talent. "He's on another planet at the minute. Let's be honest. The lad's playing brilliantly," he remarked. He was particularly impressed by the teenager's mental fortitude. "He takes pressure really, really well. In fact, all the years I've played darts, he probably takes the pressure better than anybody I've ever seen."
However, Taylor highlighted a key difference in their approaches. He suggested that while Littler might be more naturally gifted, he himself was the harder worker. "If talent doesn't work hard, hard work will beat talent," Taylor explained. "I think he's got more natural ability than I have, that's for sure. I had a bit of the Nigel Benn syndrome... I think not being so dedicated will take its toll one day. But not yet. I mean Luke's still young."
Littler's Current Form and Future
Luke Littler, who will celebrate his 19th birthday on January 21st, is currently in phenomenal form. He is riding a 20-game winning streak that began on November 8th at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton. His next challenge is the Bahrain Darts Masters this week.
Taylor's record of 16 world titles, comprising two BDO and 14 PDC championships, has long been considered untouchable. Many fans believed it would never be surpassed. Yet, the emergence of Luke Littler has changed that perception. Phil Taylor himself now openly acknowledges the young star's potential to make history.
