Littler reportedly traces his self-belief to the hours he spent practising during the Covid lockdowns, when he says he was on the board for “seven or eight hours a day.” These days, his routine is far shorter: a brief practice session, time to relax, then another visit to the board before he steps up to compete.
The aim, he says, is not to chase spectacular finishes but to settle into a reliable rhythm-“just finding the treble.” It is a simple-sounding approach, but one that places consistency ahead of showmanship. That discipline may be just as important to his reputation as the trophies.
Asked whether he is the world’s most dominant sportsman, Littler reportedly pointed to Jannik Sinner’s Wimbledon success and Lamine Yamal’s performances for Spain. The account says Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final, with Yamal playing a starring role.
Littler also challenged the idea that Yamal should be regarded as the leading teenager in sport: “Is he the best 19-year-old in the world? No, he's not,” he is quoted as saying. It is a provocative comparison, but one that highlights the different standards by which sporting greatness is judged: football’s biggest moments are shared across a team, while darts puts the individual under an unforgiving spotlight.
His pause from the New Zealand and Australian events will offer a chance to reset. The next storyline is whether Littler can carry that familiar calm-and his trademark rhythm-into his next run of competition.