World Darts Championship 2026 LIVE: Luke Woodhouse vs Krzysztof Ratajski – scores, results & updates
Postpublished at 12:45 GMT
Image source, PA Media
Speaking in a press conference after his victory, Littler said he may have “lost” his head when reacting to a hostile crowd during the match.
“I think I lost (my head), it’s still on there,” the defending champion said. “Two years ago I think I would have started throwing my darts left-handed, but that is how much I have grown and how much I have matured.
“People might say I have not matured, but try to be in my position.
“I can still learn a lot. I can learn how to deal with the crowd, not let as much emotion out, just keep it all in me until that final dart.
“That’s the first time I’ve been at the World Championships and the crowd have not wanted me to win. I will expect the worst on New Year’s Day and whatever happens will happen.
“The fans did what they did, I reacted like any other player would, I think I might have reacted a bit too early on after the first set and when I came on for the second set I said to myself: ‘Yeah, you’ve reacted too early here’.
“I just had to get on with the job. It wasn’t really at the front of the mind because they want the underdog to win or they want the game to go on even longer.”
