Phil Taylor has backed Luke Littler to interrupt his report of 16 world titles – however says the 17-year-old must overcome “Man Utd syndrome” to do it.
Littler grew to become the youngest participant to win the World Championship at Alexandra Palace earlier this month to finish an excellent debut 12 months on tour.
Taylor needs the teen to eclipse his report, even when he says he would have overwhelmed Littler in his heyday.
“If he wants to beat my world record, then he can go ahead and do it,” Taylor stated. “It’s going to be difficult, to win 16 titles you are going to have to be in a lot of finals.
“It is a number of darts, a number of inns, a number of miles travelling. He’d should play for the subsequent 20 years to get near my report and for 20 years he is bought to be devoted and ensure he does every part proper.
“It is tough when you’re younger and you’ve got cash within the financial institution. I used to be 30 after I gained for the primary time, so I would completed all that earlier than.
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Try a few of the most memorable moments from this 12 months’s World Darts Championship together with Littler’s record-breaking set, some Barrioke and two nine-darters
“You get what I used to name the Man Utd syndrome – and Liverpool have gotten it as properly – the place all people raises their recreation in opposition to you, so you need to be at your greatest in each spherical.
“And it could possibly take its toll on you. Particularly while you get overwhelmed as a result of everybody questions you: ‘Why did he lose? What was mistaken with him? Why has his bubble burst?’.
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Littler mirrored on his first World Darts Championship win and shared his aspirations to interrupt Taylor’s report
“Everybody loves to see you up there, and then they love seeing you get knocked off as well. It’s how you take it, but I think he is mentally strong enough to deal with it.
“I’ve had my day however I might have cherished to play Luke at my greatest, we might have had a cracking recreation. I believe I would have overwhelmed him however I am unsure!”
Littler: If I want Taylor’s record, I can beat it
Littler has been on a meteoric rise since his sensational run to the final of the World Championship in January 2024 and capped picking up 10 titles in his maiden year on the professional circuit by claiming the biggest prize of all at the second time of asking.
The young star believes he “has the flexibility” to interrupt Taylor’s astonishing report of 16 world titles.
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Highlights of Littler in opposition to Michael van Gerwen within the ultimate of the World Darts Championship
“Deep down, if I want to try and break the record then I’m sure I’ve got the ability to,” Littler stated.
“If I want it, I’m sure I’ll do it. I just need to keep going. The calendar is stacked all year round.
“I’ve stated in earlier interviews, if I win each main title in my profession I will be blissful, however clearly I would like so as to add to the world titles.”
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