World Champion Luke Littler says retaining his Premier League Darts title “would imply every thing”.
The 18-year-old gained the eight-player elite invitational event in his debut yr in 2024 after defeating Luke Humphries within the decider.
In a repeat of the World Championship ultimate, Littler kicks off his title defence towards Michael van Gerwen in Belfast, the place he gained his first evening of Premier League darts final yr.
“Ever since final yr, I do know these gamers are going to have to drag it out of the bag to beat me,” stated Littler.
“That is in all probability the largest one I’ll defend all spherical till it involves the World Championships.”
The Premier League Darts happen throughout 16 nights throughout the UK, Eire and Europe earlier than the play-offs in London in Could.
Littler says his objective is to safe a top-four end to safe a spot in finals evening on the O2 however “it is so essential to get that win within the first recreation”.
“I’ve to get the highest 4, however I wish to get that win tomorrow evening.
“If it does not occur, then I will reset however I am hoping for a fast begin tomorrow identical to the world ultimate.
All through the weeks (final yr) I used to be all the time fourth or fifth, and I went on the run I went on with extra wins.”
Littler provides that profitable the Premier League title gave him the arrogance to push on and change into world champion.
He says that lifting the World Championship “was a special feeling” in comparison with profitable the Premier League crown after he felt individuals questioned his place within the competitors.
“I used to be going into my first Premier League as a wildcard, I’d say,” Littler added.
“Individuals have been saying I wasn’t prepared for it however I simply grabbed the chance whereas I may.
“Now I’ve gained it, it gave me a whole lot of confidence going into the world excursions, the Euro sequence and now I am world champion.”
In a repeat of the World Championship ultimate, Littler will begin his defence towards Dutch participant van Gerwen, who has gained a document seven Premier League titles.
Littler says he has not watched his ultimate again, solely the match-winning throw, however says his focus is on beginning his marketing campaign with a win.
“I am simply hoping to win that first recreation towards Michael, get some factors on the board and see from there.
“He’ll be up for it, he will be hungry. I am clearly up for it because the reigning champion, so whoever wins tomorrow will probably be large for each of us.”
You may comply with dwell textual content commentary from every match day on the BBC Sport web site.
Premier League Darts – Belfast
Quarter-final schedule
Chris Dobey v Gerwyn Value
Stephen Bunting v Rob Cross
Luke Littler v Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries v Nathan Aspinall