Michael van Gerwen referred to as for darts officers to cease treating Luke Littler ‘as a child’ after {the teenager} was late to media duties.
Littler, Van Gerwen and their six rivals arrived in Belfast for the primary evening of Premier League Darts on Thursday.
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Coincidentally, the pair will face off on Thursday evening in a rematch of the World Darts Championship last.
Littler crushed Van Gerwen 7-3 to take residence his first world title in simply his second time competing in darts’ showpiece occasion.
Nonetheless, {the teenager} – who lately celebrated his 18th birthday – irked the Dutchman as a consequence of his poor timekeeping.
Van Gerwen was requested about his ideas on Littler being a late rival, just for the three-time world champion to reply in brutal trend.
“45 minutes late, you imply,” Van Gerwen mentioned.
“They should cease treating him as a child, yeah? He isn’t a child any extra. He is 18 years outdated now.
“It occurs. He has to be taught, however he must be taught the exhausting method. It is a skilled sport so you need to be answerable for your actions as effectively, easy as that.
“If he turns up late for an interview, I do not actually thoughts, by now seven different individuals are ready for him.
“That is probably not good, is it?”
Van Gerwen and Littler have already confronted off since their assembly within the World Championship last as they performed one another within the Dutch Masters.
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As soon as once more it was Littler who took the spoils, as his 6-3 win was his fourth in a row over Van Gerwen.
Alongside Littler, Luke Humphries shall be a heavy favorite to take out the Premier League.
The 2024 world champion goes into Thursday’s occasion on the again of successful the World Masters, beating Jonny Clayton 6-5 within the last.
Regardless of Littler and Humphries’ wealth of success lately, Van Gerwen felt there wanted to be extra respect when the duo are in comparison with among the greats of the game.
“In fact, no matter they do is nice, it is good, however you may’t examine it with the [Gary] Andersons, the [Phil] Taylors, or me but,” Van Gerwen mentioned.
“In fact, in ten years’ time, we have now a distinct dialog most likely, however not now.
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“In fact, no matter they do is phenomenal, good for darts usually. However I believe it takes away the respect of the Phil Taylors and different guys, you understand what I imply?”
As Van Gerwen alluded, he might must ultimately change his tune with regards to Littler and Humphries’ greatness.
Maybe that second might come sooner ought to Littler retain his standing as Premier League champion.
{The teenager} took out the match final yr after he beat Humphries 11-7 within the last the place he managed to tug off a nine-darter.
Premier League Darts – Evening 1 Schedule
Chris Dobey vs Gerwyn Value
Stephen Bunting vs Rob Cross
Luke Littler vs Michael van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall vs Luke Humphries