Michael van Gerwen issues warning over Luke Littler hype following Bahrain Masters defeat
Littler defeated Van Gerwen in the final in Bahrain
Michael van Gerwen has implored darts fans and the media to let Luke Littler “do his thing” after the 16-year-old made more history by winning the Bahrain Masters.
Littler defeated Van Gerwen 8-5 in the final of the season-opening World Series event on Friday to become the youngest winner of a senior PDC title.
Just two days shy of his 17th birthday, Littler enjoyed a remarkable triumph which also saw him land a nine-dart finish in his Quarter-Final win over Nathan Aspinall, before thrashing Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the Semi-Finals.
Littler has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame following his landmark run to the final of the World Championship – which ended in defeat to Luke Humphries at Alexandra Palace a fortnight ago.
The record-breaking teenager has become the first professional darts player to reach one million followers on Instagram and has been installed as the early favourite to be crowned 2024 Sports Personality of The Year.
Van Gerwen, however, has called for calm over Littler as he prepares for his debut Premier League campaign in the coming weeks, insisting the youngster should not be pushed too hard.
“It is never going to be a good week when Michael is not winning, simple as that,” said Van Gerwen following defeat in the final in Bahrain.
“I think he [Littler] had a fantastic tournament.
“I couldn’t produce what I was doing in the other games and you only can punish yourself for that.
“Of course I’m disappointed but that’s how sport works, you win some, you lose some.
“I’ll get him, don’t worry.
“Everyone says he’s the new kid but everyone knows what he is capable of.
“The crowd, the television, everyone wants to make him bigger but he’s already a good player.
“I know you all want to push him, but let him grow. Let him do his thing.
“The crowd and everyone who is involved in television has to learn – don’t push him too much.
“Of course we know he’s a good player but give him his time and everything will come – no problems.”
Littler will join Van Gerwen in the line-up for next week’s Dutch Darts Masters in Den Bosch before heading to Cardiff on February 1 for the opening night of the Premier League.
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