Michael van Gerwen criticises Luke Littler for late arrival at Premier League Darts launch
Michael van Gerwen has criticised Luke Littler for his late arrival to the Premier League Darts media launch on Wednesday.
Littler arrived 45 minutes late for a photoshoot in Belfast ahead of the new BetMGM Premier League campaign after oversleeping.
The 18-year-old admitted he had slept in after taking a morning nap, leaving his unimpressed Premier League counterparts waiting around for his arrival on the Titanic Slipway.
Van Gerwen, who faces Littler on Night One of the elite invitational on Thursday, said: “They need to stop treating him like a baby. He’s not a baby anymore, he’s 18 years old now.
“It happens. He has to learn. You have to learn the hard way. It’s a professional sport so you have to be responsible for your actions. Simple as that.
“If he turns up late for an interview, I don’t mind. But seven other people are waiting for him. That’s not very nice, is it?”
Van Gerwen’s comments were laughed off by reigning champion Littler, who is bidding to become only the third player in the tournament’s history to successfully retain the title.
“He’s going to be up for it, he’s going to be hungry but I’m up for it as the reigning champion. Whoever wins, it will be big for us,” Littler said.
“This is the biggest tournament I am going to defend all year around until the Worlds. I might feel nervous when it does come to the task, but there is always nerves, but I’m hoping to make a fast start like I did in the final.
“The first win last year came here in Belfast, so I have got good memories here and I want to kick on.”
Littler claimed a crowning glory at Alexandra Palace a month ago courtesy of a dominant 7-3 victory over Van Gerwen in the final, becoming the sport’s youngest ever World Champion in the process.
The world number two also defeated MVG 6-3 in the subsequent Dutch Darts Masters, but Van Gerwen insists he is fully-focused for the 17-week roadshow.
“I won on my debut, against Phil Taylor as well, but this is going to be a different day again,” he added.
“Everyone wants to win but there only can be one winner. Of course, everyone is going to need their points, but you have to take it week by week because it’s a long 17 weeks.
“It’s a tough format. It’s only short, so you have to be sharp constantly straight from the beginning, and if you do well there’s another two games waiting. I love performing in this tournament so I don’t see any problems with this one.”
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