Luke Littler has opened up about his whirlwind year and revealed the advice he was given by legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Litter, 17, has enjoyed a banner 12 months, with the teenage sensation helping to transform the sport of darts after bursting onto the scene at the World Championships last year.
Littler, who lost in the final to Luke Humphries, has won 10 professional titles, including the prestigious Premier Darts League, racking up more than £1 million in prize money in the process.
The 17-year-old, who also completed four perfect scores in nine darts, has secured a host of commercial deals and is the favorite for this year’s World Championships, which start on Sunday.
Following his exploits last Christmas, Manchester United fan Littler was invited to the club’s training ground, where he performed a 180-degree turn in front of an astonished first-team squad.
He also traveled to Old Trafford in January and watched United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham from the directors’ box, with the 17-year-old having the chance to meet Ferguson before kick-off.
Luke Littler has revealed the advice he was given by legendary Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
United welcomed Littler to Old Trafford after their World Championship breakthrough.
Littler was also invited to United’s training ground to meet several Red Devils players.
And, speaking with The telegraphLittler, who was this week named in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist, reflected on his encounter with the legendary Scot and revealed the small problem he faced.
‘I didn’t really understand it…’ Littler said. “I heard him say, ‘Keep it up.’
Part of Littler’s charm has been his innate natural talent coupled with his laissez-faire approach to the game.
The 17-year-old explained earlier this year that he only practices 30 minutes a day and instead spends most of his time on his Xbox.
He also stated that he often does not go to bed until the early hours of the morning before staying up until the afternoon.
And, heading into this year’s World Championships, where a lot is expected of Littler, it seems not much has changed when the 17-year-old was asked how he plans to prepare.
“Get plenty of sleep, practice, Xbox, relax,” he added. ‘From an hour to an hour and a half (a day) on the board.
‘Keep your arm loose. (But) mostly just chilling… (seeing) some friends… hanging out with them sometimes, otherwise just chilling in my room alone, playing my game, on my phone.
Littler is the favorite for this year’s World Championships, which begin Sunday.
The 17-year-old spoke about his preparation for the main event at Alexandra Palace.
‘Obviously I want to lift the trophy, but the pressures and being the favorite don’t really affect me. I just play my game.’
During his visit to United earlier this year, the club hosted Littler for a photo shoot and gave him the shirt every fan wants: a shirt with his nickname and favorite number on the back.
Littler posed on the edge of the Old Trafford pitch holding the shirt, the back of which was emblazoned with ‘THE NUKE’, his darts nickname, and the number 180.
He thanked the club after the game on social media as he shared a photo of himself with Ferguson.
United also helped organize good luck messages from players Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw as Littler prepared for the World Championship final.
‘Now I have many followers. “I got a message from Luke Shaw, from Manchester United, from Rio Ferdinand, and I got a message from Gary Neville and Jonny Evans before my game against Barney,” Littler told the BBC in January.
Littler begins his World Championship campaign with a second round draw against the winner of Farron Sherrock vs Ryan Meikle on Saturday, December 21.