Luke Littler is ‘treated differently’ claim darts rivals who say it’s ‘not at all surprising’ following Grand Slam win

TWO rivals claim it’s “obvious” Luke Littler gets preferential treatment.

Dutch stars Vincent van der Voort and Gian van Veen spoke out following the whizkid’s debut glory in the Grand Slam of Darts.

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Littler, 17, has risen from No164 to No5 as only the fourth player ever to win ten titles in a PDC calendar year.

But before the Nuke’s 16-3 triumph over Martin Lukeman in the Slam final, there was controversy in his last-16 success over Mike De Decker.

The Netherlands ace was upset by the crowd whistling at key moments.

And he was even more frustrated referee Kirk Bevins refused to tell fans to curb such behaviour.

There’s no suggestion Bevins’ decision was anything to do with Littler.

Indeed, the official insisted warning the crowd might have whipped up their antics even more.

However, Van der Voort and Van Veen believe it’s “of course true” that Littler is handled extra well by darts chiefs.

VDV told the podcast Darts Draait Door: “If you look at what that boy brings in in terms of extra sponsorship and money, you’re treated differently.”

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Van Veen, 22, agreed, saying: “I don’t find that so strange either – that the absolute top is treated differently than the rest.”

The Grand Slam quarter-finalist also believes he himself has benefited from better treatment – but in the second tier of darts, for players aged 16-23. 

He said: “On the Pro Tour I didn’t, but on the Development Tour I noticed it. 

“If, with all due respect, a nobody is late to his job, he gets taken out of the tournament before I do. 

“They’re going to look for me one more time, that way. I could get more done on the Development Tour, other darters probably won’t.”

Littler was a “nobody” in terms of public profile 12 months ago – now he’s one of the most famous sporting teenagers in the world.

Whether that means he gets special handling – and whether that would be right – are entirely different questions.

Inside Littler’s massive rise

LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship at the beginning of the year.

Luke Littler prize money breakdown

Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after his Grand Slam of Darts victory:

World Championship 2023 – £200,000

Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000

European Tour – £91,000

Player Championships events – £71,500

UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500

World Matchplay – £10,000

World Grand Prix – £7,500

European Championship – £7,500

(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000