Luke Littler is human after all.
The Nuke has taken the PDC by storm over the past few months, reaching the World Championship final and winning the Premier League on debut.
With the World Matchplay set up as the showpiece event of the summer, many expected Littler to go on a real run in Blackpool to further cement himself as one of the best in the world.
However, it hasn’t quite gone to plan for the teenager.
Indeed, on Monday evening, Littler was dumped out of the World Matchplay in the first round by Michael van Gerwen, and it’s fair to say The Nuke’s performance was below par.
Wayne Mardle was far from impressed by what he was seeing, noting on commentary during the 15th leg of the game that Littler was playing way too casually.
Wayne Mardle says Luke Littler was playing too casually
Mardle spoke about Littler’s attitude after he threw a 45 score in the 15th leg.
“There are some real casual visits that I have to say I’m not liking from Luke Littler. I don’t think I’ve really ever seen that from him before,” Mardle said.
Littler needs to buck up his ideas
Luke Littler is one of the most talented players in the world of darts, but he needs to buck up his ideas if he’s going to be as successful as he should be.
Littler’s recent performances on the Pro Tour have been below-par, which the man himself put down to a lack of practice, and now, he’s lost on the big stage.
Of course, any player in the world can succumb to an in-form Michael van Gerwen, but Littler’s casual attitude on the stage was perhaps an issue that contributed to this defeat.
The teenager needs to get back on the practice board and get himself together ahead of what is a huge second-half of 2024.