Darts
PDC World Masters 2025: Luke Littler Finally Admits He’s the Best Player in the World
Luke Littler reflects on his first UK walk as world champion, his dominant win at the World Masters, and the pressure of his new status, admitting for the first time that he may be the best.
PDC / Taylor Lanning
For the first time in his career, darts MC John McDonald introduced teenage sensation Luke Littler as the reigning and defending champion of the world in front of a UK audience as he began his campaign at the 2025 PDC World Masters.
Littler wasted no time in making a statement, breezing past Belgian qualifier Andy Baetens with a dominant 3-0 victory. The match, which lasted just over 10 minutes, saw Baetens claim only a single leg as Littler showcased the form that made him world champion.
UK Debut as World Champion
After the match, we asked Littler how it felt to walk to the oche as the world champion for the first time in front of a home crowd.
While he acknowledged it was a special moment, he admitted nothing could top the feeling of being introduced as world champion for the first time at the Bahrain Darts Masters a few weeks prior—the first PDC event since his historic triumph at Alexandra Palace.
“Yeah, it's definitely different,” Littler said.
“Especially in Bahrain when it happened for the first time, but for it to happen in the UK for the first time and get the first win at the World Masters. It's a big tournament and it's a big thing.”
No Time to Settle
The relentless nature of the PDC calendar has meant Littler has barely had time to reflect on his sensational victory over Michael van Gerwen in the world final.
While he has managed a few days at home, he admitted the enormity of his achievement still hasn’t fully sunk in.
“I've had a few days at home to reflect, but yeah, I wouldn't say it's really sank in yet. I know the trophy's there at home. This is the busy schedule that starts now.”
The Best Player in the World
Now entering his second full season on the PDC tour as the reigning world champion, Littler acknowledged that the title brings added pressure. However, he remains focused on simply enjoying his game.
“The only difference is a world champion. Everyone would probably say there is pressure on me, but I've really enjoyed tonight so I'll just go into the next one with the same mindset.”
The final question in his post-match press conference was whether he now sees himself as the best player in the world.
As always, Littler remained modest—but for the first time, he hinted that perhaps he does deserve that status, with the Sid Waddell Trophy at home serving as undeniable proof.
“I never say I am, but maybe I should. If you win the world championship you are the best.”
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