Peter Wright tells Luke Littler what he needs to do to be ‘one of the best’ after World Darts Championship win
PETER WRIGHT believes that new world champ Luke Littler needs to improve in one area to become “one of the best”
The Livingston-born ace is preparing for the first World Series event at the Bahrain Masters tomorrow night.
Ahead of the tournament, he has insisted that Littler needs to be more consistent to stay at the top.
He said: “I’m looking forward to the Bahrain Masters.
“At least with the short format we know the two Lukes will be knocked out early because it takes time for them to warm up!
“It would have been nice for Michael to win a fourth world championship.
“But we all wanted Littler to win really to expand the game even more. The right person won. It’s great for the sport.
“Luke is obviously very good. But he’s got to get more consistent.
“He’s not one of the best yet. But he’s obviously got the potential to be.”
Wright, 54, caused a huge stir at the World Championship by vowing to beat reigning champ Luke Humphries – which he then did.
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MVG hit out at the Scot saying: “Every year at the Worlds, he talks so much nonsense
“He’s always allowed to talk c**p. No one takes him serious on the tour as well because he’s not allowed an opinion at home.”
But Wright dismissed any issue with Van Gerwen and insisted he can still compete with the best.
He said: “It did cause a stir. It’s always good to be talked about. As Michael said: ‘I talk c**p every year’!
“I’ve been playing rubbish for two years. It was nice to show the world I could still play darts. I believe there is plenty more to come this year.
“I wish I had felt better at the Ally Pally. Maybe if I hadn’t been ill I would have started to focus on something else.
“I had a tough first round game against big Wesley (Plaisier). He had won a floor tournament and beaten me on the way.
“Then Jermaine (Wattimena) has been playing fantastic darts. That was tough. But I said I was going to beat Luke (Humphries) anyway.”
Wright is now ready for a new era after being axed from the Premier League after a 11-year run in the tournament.
He added: “I’ll have time to rest and be fresher for the floor tournaments and Euros away from the Premier League.
“I will take a leaf out of the Rob Cross book. He wasn’t in the Premier League and for two years he worked hard and all the results came. That’s why he’s now No.4 in the world.
“I’m looking to do the same. I’ll leave the Premier League to the youngsters rather than a 55-year-old guy in it!
“To be honest if Matt (Porter) had given me the call for the Premier, I would have said put someone else in anyway. It’s hard being a Premier League player.
“I’m looking forward to enjoying time at home with the family and the cats.”
Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues
Night 1 – The SSE Arena, Belfast – Thursday February 6
Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday February 13
Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday February 20
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday February 27
Night 5 – The Brighton Centre – Thursday March 6
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday March 13
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday March 20
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29