Luke Littler warns he can still improve after World Matchplay win

Luke Littler warned he can still get better after defeating Gerwyn Price 18-9 to retain his Betfred World Matchplay title in Blackpool. Littler showcased impressive skill, setting a new record for the final with an average of 111.53. His performance also raised his average for the entire tournament to 111.04, surpassing Phil Taylor’s previous high mark of 106.31. Furthermore, Littler set a new competition record for 180s, hitting 12 in the final and reaching a total of 66 for the week.

This victory keeps Littler on track for a clean sweep of trophies in 2026, having already secured the World Championship, UK Open, Premier League, and the Masters. Although the 19-year-old claimed this was the best version of himself to date, he expressed confidence that there is more improvement to come.

“I can still get better,” said Littler. “I can get a lot better. Through the matches, I was up to a 120 average at one point and I didn’t make it stick. Maybe in a few years’ time I will stick it and go up to a 120 average.

“At the minute I’m playing some of the best stuff and I’ve just got to keep it there… My main goal was to win every major once. I don’t know how many years are left in me. We’re still only two and a half years into my professional career. It’s far from done.”

Littler attributed his high scoring to his determination to become only the third player to successfully defend the Matchplay title, following Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, who accomplished this feat ten years ago.

“I’ve come out with the best outcome there is in any tournament by lifting the trophy, but the way I’ve done it, I’ve definitely surprised myself but it’s down to the commitment I’ve got. I wanted to win this trophy more than anything, go back to back, put my name on that list and that’s what I’ve done. I wasn’t playing the best in the World Series but I’ve come here with a different mindset.”

Price, competing in his first final since 2022 and without having previously won the trophy, had stated that if he played his best, he could beat Littler. However, even with an average of 104.97, the Welshman fell short.

“Luke is one in a million,” Price remarked. “I think I played pretty decent. In that game I missed a couple of opportunities but the bull checkouts, the 167, was a big turning point even though it was early in the game.”

Earlier, Beau Greaves captured her third Women’s World Matchplay title in four years, edging out Fallon Sherrock 6-5 with a decisive checkout of 56 in the final leg. “I’m not one to celebrate but it was relief in the end,” Greaves noted. “Fallon is a great lass and an even better darts player. I knew I had to play well but to hit that last dart was an outpouring of relief.”