Luke Littler dismisses Gerwyn Price claim ahead of World Matchplay final

Luke Littler rejects Gerwyn Price’s claim that the two-time reigning world champion’s opponents make life too easy for him.

Littler and Price face off in the World Matchplay final on Sunday evening, with the latest PDC major title of the year up for grabs.

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Having won the tournament for the first time last year, Littler is looking to retain his title.

Price, meanwhile, is targeting his maiden World Matchplay triumph.

‘People make it too easy for him’

And speaking earlier in the competition, the 2021 world champion suggested Littler’s opponents allow him to settle into his rhythm.

“I think some players play into his hand and just let him play with his rhythm,” Price said.

“It’s horses for horses and sometimes you have to play your game, you have to play the game and you have to play the moments.

“Sometimes, people make it a little bit too easy for him.”

But Littler disagrees, insisting his opponents inevitably up their game against him.

“I wouldn’t feel that way [that my opponents make it too easy for me],” Littler said after thrashing Dirk van Duijvenbode 17-5 to reach his second straight World Matchplay final, becoming the first darts player ever to hit £3 million in prize money.

“I know every player is going to play at least ten times better against me than they did in the previous round because they have to.

“If I’m producing these numbers consistently then someone is going to have to do something really special to beat me.”

Littler has averaged a whopping 110.88 en route to the final, putting him well on course to break Phil Taylor‘s record of 106.31.

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Littler eyes more ‘great things’

And he’s confident of coming out on top again at Blackpool‘s Winter Gardens.

“I know I’m capable of doing many great things in this sport,” Littler continued.

“Since the first round, the averages have been there. They’ve gone up, back down and now back up around the 110 mark.

“As long as I play like this tomorrow then hopefully, I can lift the trophy again.”

Littler and Price have never met in a major final, though ‘the Nuke’ did beat ‘the Iceman’ in the semi-finals of this year’s Premier League play-offs.

Price has admitted he could miss next year’s Premier League even if he is invited to take part.

The World Matchplay final will be his first individual major final since losing to Luke Humphries at the 2023 World Grand Prix.