Michael van Gerwen has declared “I am better than Luke Littler” as his 16-year-old challenger for the World Darts Championship title continues to steal all of the headlines. Littler stormed into the fourth round last night with a convincing 4-1 victory over Matt Campbell.
As if to prove a point, Van Gerwen then stepped up to the Oche and won 4-0. The Dutchman was then quizzed on his younger foe and said: “I think if you look talent wise, I think I am slightly better but he doesn’t care wherever he plays and that’s why I admire him. He is a big talent player. He can win a lot of tournaments in the future of darts, 100 per cent.”
Van Gerwen was asked further questions about Littler, who has won over all of the fans at Ally Pally. “Are we going to talk about the Luke Littler or are we going to talk about the world championships?” Gerwen responded. “No, I am winding you up, of course you are going to get questions about Luke Littler.”
Three-time world champion Gerwen is used to having the spotlight on him but he has been cast to the side in the opening couple of weeks of this year’s World Darts Championship. The 34-year-old has vowed to get back into the debate.
“I wish everyone gives me attention because when you get attention it is a pleasure, it is something good,” he said. “When they talk about you it is a good sign, it means you still mean something to the sport.”
Van Gerwen went on to call players who didn’t want to have any attention “poo pants.”
He added: “If they want to go under the radar, audible raspberry noise. Me, worry about what the crowd does, really? I have more experience than that, I don’t really care.”
Meanwhile, Littler is planning a shopping spree today after securing a guaranteed £35,000 for reaching the last 16.
“I will stay in the hotel, chill out tomorrow, treat myself to more shoes and pants, chill out and see who I play in the next round,” he said.
“It’s an overall good performance, it’s not like the first round. I’ve said I could win with the lowest average of the tournament, I’m just happy to get through. I’ve got nothing to lose for myself, I’ve over-achieved again. Now I can just settle.”
