Michael van Gerwen gives emphatic response when asked about Luke Littler and Luke Humphries’ chase for stunning record
Michael van Gerwen believes Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have ‘no chance’ of beating Phil Taylor’s record of 14 World Darts Championships. Van Gerwen took a crucial step in the right direction on his quest to win a fourth world title as he breezed past James Hurrell 3-1 in their second round match. PDCVan Gerwen barely missed a step as he breezed past James Hurrell[/caption] It wasn’t exactly a vintage Van Gerwen performance, by his own admission. There was one particular leg in the second set that prompted a brutal assessment from the Dutchman, describing it as ‘terrible’. “Even my daughter could’ve played better in that leg,” Van Gerwen said in his post-match press conference. “But it is what it is, you have to take it on the chin. “But I’ll tell you something funny, I won that leg.” It was likely the fourth leg of the second set – in which Van Gerwen threw 21 darts – he had referenced. Thanks to his win over Hurrell, Van Gerwen can now kick up his feet and enjoy at least six days off before he plays in the third round. But don’t expect him to tune in to watch any of his rivals compete. Especially not Littler, who begins his World Championship campaign on Saturday night against Ryan Meikle. “If you know me, I never watch darts,” Van Gerwen said. PDCThe Dutchman offered a hilarious criticism of his performance during one leg in the second set[/caption] “Two, I don’t know when they play. And three, I don’t really care.” The Dutchman added: “I see him (Littler) every week, why would I care? “Ryan is a good player. Of course, Luke is a massive favourite. Ryan is quite a slow player, so maybe he could have a surprise, you never know. “[It] Wouldn’t be the first tournament he (Littler) loses in the first round this year as well. “But I still expect him to win. He’s great. What he did for the sport of darts is amazing.” Littler has taken the darts world by storm since he burst onto the scene at the Alexandra Palace in last year’s World Championship, as the then-16-year-old made it all the way to the final but fell short against Humphries. Van Gerwen does not plan to watch Littler in his second round matchGetty Since then, the teenage sensation has won the Premier League, the Grand Slam, and the World Series Finals this year. Humphries, the No. 1 seed, also has high hopes of going back-to-back given he took out the World Matchplay and Players Championship Finals in 2024. With the pair dominating the circuit this year, it has some wondering if they could be the ones to break Taylor’s long-standing record, especially since Littler is just 17 and has plenty of years left in him. However, Van Gerwen firmly believes Taylor’s record will remain intact for years to come. “Yeah, don’t’potentially breaking Phil’s record,'” Van Gerwen said. “No chance.” Van Gerwen awaits the winner between No. 30 seed Brendan Dolan and one of the crowd favourites of this year’s World Championships, Lok Yin Lee, in the third round.
Michael van Gerwen believes Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have ‘no chance’ of beating Phil Taylor’s record of 14 World Darts Championships.
Van Gerwen took a crucial step in the right direction on his quest to win a fourth world title as he breezed past James Hurrell 3-1 in their second round match.
It wasn’t exactly a vintage Van Gerwen performance, by his own admission.
There was one particular leg in the second set that prompted a brutal assessment from the Dutchman, describing it as ‘terrible’.
“Even my daughter could’ve played better in that leg,” Van Gerwen said in his post-match press conference.
“But it is what it is, you have to take it on the chin.
“But I’ll tell you something funny, I won that leg.”
It was likely the fourth leg of the second set – in which Van Gerwen threw 21 darts – he had referenced.
Thanks to his win over Hurrell, Van Gerwen can now kick up his feet and enjoy at least six days off before he plays in the third round.
But don’t expect him to tune in to watch any of his rivals compete.
Especially not Littler, who begins his World Championship campaign on Saturday night against Ryan Meikle.
“If you know me, I never watch darts,” Van Gerwen said.
“Two, I don’t know when they play. And three, I don’t really care.”
The Dutchman added: “I see him (Littler) every week, why would I care?
“Ryan is a good player. Of course, Luke is a massive favourite. Ryan is quite a slow player, so maybe he could have a surprise, you never know.
“[It] Wouldn’t be the first tournament he (Littler) loses in the first round this year as well.
“But I still expect him to win. He’s great. What he did for the sport of darts is amazing.”
Littler has taken the darts world by storm since he burst onto the scene at the Alexandra Palace in last year’s World Championship, as the then-16-year-old made it all the way to the final but fell short against Humphries.
Since then, the teenage sensation has won the Premier League, the Grand Slam, and the World Series Finals this year.
Humphries, the No. 1 seed, also has high hopes of going back-to-back given he took out the World Matchplay and Players Championship Finals in 2024.
With the pair dominating the circuit this year, it has some wondering if they could be the ones to break Taylor’s long-standing record, especially since Littler is just 17 and has plenty of years left in him.
However, Van Gerwen firmly believes Taylor’s record will remain intact for years to come.
“Yeah, don’t’potentially breaking Phil’s record,'” Van Gerwen said.
“No chance.”
Van Gerwen awaits the winner between No. 30 seed Brendan Dolan and one of the crowd favourites of this year’s World Championships, Lok Yin Lee, in the third round.
