Wade on Littler
James Wade expects “phenomenal” Luke Littler to hit a downturn but hopes the magic continues.
The former World Matchplay champion beat Ross Smith to book a place in the semi-finals at the Winter Gardens tonight.
But Wade, 41, clearly admires the rise to stardom of the 17-year-old sensation.
He said: “Luke is phenomenal. I didn’t even realise the stats. In the first four tournaments he’s played on the floor, the Euro Tour, Premier League, he’s hit nine darters in all of them!
“Do I believe it will continue? I’m not sure. I agree with Glen Durrant.
“He said it will either be domination for two years or ten years and I’m not quite sure which one it will be.
“Let’s be honest, Luke’s probably earned more money than most dart players in a year, so he doesn’t need to play darts now if he’s careful with his money.
“So will the magic continue? I hope so, because darts needs someone like him. He’s influential, financially viable and a great pull but I’m interested in seeing what he’s doing.
“He will have a downturn, 100 per cent it will happen. But what I want to see is, rather than the UK get on his back and give him a hard time, just support him a little bit.
“He will struggle and he will find things hard and then we’ll really see what he is all about.
“But for what he’s done for the game so far, people like me can only be indebted to him.”
