Phil Taylor, the renowned darts icon, expressed his surprise at Luke Littler’s minimal practice approach before defending his £1m World Darts Championships title. Littler aims to join the exclusive group of four who have successfully retained the Sid Waddell Trophy, with the prestigious darts tournament commencing on Thursday. The young 18-year-old from Warrington plans to enter the competition with deliberately limited practice, a strategy that has astonished the 16-time world champion Taylor.

In an interview with SunSport’s Flight Club, Taylor remarked on Littler’s preparation, noting his unconventional practice routine. Despite Taylor’s emphasis on rigorous practice during his 31-year career, he acknowledged that mental preparation is crucial for players heading to the championship venue, Ally Pally. Taylor highlighted the importance of mental readiness and cautioned against over-practicing, citing the significant mental and physical demands of the tournament, where players are vying for the substantial £1m prize. Balancing practice with rest and ensuring proper mental focus were emphasized as essential strategies for success at the championship event.