Premier League Darts: Luke Littler ‘not a robot’ as tearful winner’s interview highlights inexplicable feelings against country No 1 | Arrow News

Luke Littler’s backstage interview after the Premier League Darts title provided a public reminder of the struggles superstars often face away from their pitches.

Littler won the Premier League title for the second time in three years after a dramatic final night at The O2, where Gerwyn Price won the title in the last leg of the semi-final before beating Luke Humphries 11-10 in the final.

The last-leg victory for the defending champions avenged last year’s defeat to Humphries and ended a roller-coaster Premier League campaign for Littler, who overcame a slow start to claim six wins on the night and finish the regular season on top.

The past year has seen the power of arrows continue to flow from the fan favorite to the player every time he barks, with Littler’s behavior on stage and previous comments – at times – fueling the negative reception he receives.

Littler was involved in a fiery last-leg defeat to Gian van Veen in Manchester on April 2 before posting the worst record of his Premier League career at Brighton the following week, with the world No 1 still feeling the effects of those two games heading into Final Night.

“After Brighton and the incident in Manchester [argument with Gian van Veen]sitting at home and saying to Faith [his partner]’I don’t want to do it [Premier League] and, just a crowd every week’,” Littler he told Sky Sports on stagenot yet crying. “I said to him, ‘I went down badly’.”

There had previously been little public indication of any direct impact on Littler, who reached the next four finals of the night – winning three of them – then ended the campaign with consecutive semi-final exits, although it took a decisive victory to reveal his true feelings.

“If I’m lost [Finals Night]nobody was going to find out about what I said on stage,” Littler said at his press conference. “I had to get it out and tell everybody. I won’t say this is the perfect time, because you want to celebrate, but I had to get it out to everyone.

“I hope so [crowd booing is] a turning point. Everything I said on stage last night in tears, I’m not asking for sympathy, I told the world. I told everyone how I felt during the Premier League and the biggest result [the trophy] next to me.”

Littler was comforted by Humphries immediately after the interview before speaking off-stage to his family and partner Faith, the only person who has ever told him fully about his Premier League unhappiness.

“I didn’t talk to my mother or father about it [struggles]maybe I should have, but I finally talked to Faith about it,” Littler later revealed to the press. “After Manchester, it was just a bad place. Then and after Brighton, it was shocking, really.

“I’m glad Faith was there to have that conversation. I kept telling her, ‘I don’t want to do it. [Premier League]I don’t want to do it’. He kept repeating himself and I kept repeating myself. He didn’t talk to anyone else.

“The crowd didn’t have to carry it [booing] it went on for weeks and weeks and weeks. I kept winning for weeks, but the boos were still there, the whistle was still there. I need to forget about everything now and go home with the trophy.”

‘Darts need Littler, Littler don’t need darts’

Littler’s recent success continues with an impressive run of wins at major PDC events, having defended his world title at Alexandra Palace before competing at the Winmau World Masters and UK Open this year.

One of the sport’s all-time greats who has questioned their enjoyment of the game is something world No 2 Humphries can’t relate to, having met his previous hostile reception after reaching the top of the world rankings.

“He [Littler] he would never put the darts down because you wouldn’t do that – that’s why he is, it’s because he’s a great darts player,” Humphries insisted in a press conference.

“I’ve had it before for no real reason. I had a crowd on my back after beating Luke [Littler] in the World Championship. Everyone just hated me for no reason and it’s hard.

“You’re at home and you don’t really want to go to darts, because it seems like everyone hates you and doesn’t want to see you play. I know what you’re going through but we all want to see him play.

“Darts needs Luke Littler, Luke Littler doesn’t need darts. That’s the truth. Everyone thinks he’s a robot but he’s not. He’s a normal person and a good kid too.”

Littler himself is aware of the historical stereotype associated with athletes – especially men – discussing emotions, with the 19-year-old receiving praise from both professionals and fans for dealing with his emotions.

“I mean, we all have emotions, not just as dart players – we’re just human beings,” Littler explained. “We just want to get on with our lives and, to be honest, I can’t believe I won.”

He later added: “Us guys, we don’t really want to talk, but I had to talk to Faith and tell her how I felt.”

On whether Littler would consider seeking advice elsewhere, she said: “I’ve always told myself that I don’t want to just talk to a random person. They might give you the best advice, but I’ve always said just try to keep it or talk to the good ones.”

Littler already has his eyes on building on his Premier League triumph, a World Cup of Darts return alongside Humphries and a World Matchplay title defense – both live on Sky Sports – among those next on his radar in the coming months.

“Definitely [winning the Premier League] great relief. It’s been a while – my adrenaline is gone. But yes, I should definitely celebrate.”

Littler will be a huge pre-tournament favorite every time he takes the stage for the foreseeable future. Time will tell if the Premier League’s emotional success translates into a positive reception from those watching.

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