Darts icon Phil Taylor expressed surprise upon learning about Luke Littler’s minimal practice regimen ahead of defending his £1m World Darts Championships title. Littler aims to achieve the rare feat of retaining the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy, with the tournament commencing on Thursday evening and his first-round opponent being Lithuanian Darius Labanauskas.
Despite being just 18 years old and hailing from Warrington, Littler plans to enter the competition with deliberately limited practice, a decision that has caught the attention of the 16-time world champion Taylor. In an interview with SunSport’s Flight Club, Taylor remarked on Littler’s unconventional preparation approach, noting that while the young player has not adhered to traditional practice routines, his confidence is high. Taylor recounted a recent encounter with Littler in Finland, where the latter opted not to practice and still delivered an outstanding performance on stage, showcasing his natural talent.
Reflecting on his extensive 31-year professional darts career, Taylor emphasized the mental aspect as the primary challenge for players heading to Ally Pally. He stressed the importance of mental preparation, underscoring the significance of early mindset conditioning and adequate rest to avoid over-practicing. With the allure of the substantial £1m prize pool this year, Taylor cautioned against excessive practice hours, advising players to find a balance to ensure peak performance throughout the three-week championship period.
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