Darts is an incredibly competitive field
Of course, certain players are friends on the tour and behind the scenes, but, on the oche, it’s every man for themselves.
Indeed, you’re playing for your livelihood up there, and if you have to make a few enemies to get to where you want to be, so be it.
Speaking on the Love The Darts Podcast, Nathan Aspinall has been speaking about some of the dynamics within the Premier League this year, and he says that Luke Littler has got under a number of players’ skin because of the media attention he’s getting despite the fact he’s yet to truly achieve anything in the game.
Luke Littler is annoying Premier League players
Aspinall spoke about Littler and how the other players feel about him.
“What Luke Littler brings as well to it is all the media. All the media attention he’s had. What he’s done for the game is amazing, but what he’s done is, I don’t know how to say this right, he’s got under everyone’s skin because of what he’s getting and what he’s doing,” Aspinall said.
“We’re all like, ‘Who’s this kid who’s turned up and he’s made the finals of the worlds and now he’s getting this that and the other.’ A lot of the big boys who’ve been doing it for a number of years, it does get under your skin, so we’re out there to knock him down as much as we can.”
Luke Littler must find it difficult
We can’t help but sympathise with Littler here.
It’s hard enough being a 17-year-old in an environment largely dominated by men twice your age, but the fact that there seems to be a bit of jealousy creeping in makes things even harder.
At the end of the day, it’s not Littler’s fault that he’s the centre of attention at the moment, and while other players may be annoyed, as the old saying goes, a high tide lifts all ships, and if more eyes are on darts as a whole, there’s a greater chance for every player to get exposure and market themselves effectively.