Luke Littler triumphed over Rob Cross to secure a spot in the PDC World Darts Championship quarter-finals. Following the match, Littler criticized the Ally Pally crowd for booing him as he played against Cross, who had strong fan support at the venue. Referring to the audience, Littler sarcastically thanked them for booing him, acknowledging that they contribute to his prize money through ticket purchases.
Expressing his frustration, Littler addressed the crowd, stating, “I just had to hold, Rob broke me, I broke him back. I just saw the stats then – I wasn’t thinking of anything – I just wanted to win. It was hostile, no one wanted me to win. They were wrong.” Despite facing resistance, Littler managed to emerge victorious with a 4-2 win over Cross, ending his unbeaten streak in the tournament.
Littler’s comments sparked mixed reactions online, with some criticizing his response as “classless” while others supported his bold attitude, referring to it as his “heel era.” Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle commented on Littler’s post-match interview, describing it as “weird” and noting the intensity of the competition between Littler and Cross. Mardle praised Cross for his performance despite facing a formidable opponent in Littler, highlighting Littler’s exceptional skills under pressure on the dartboard.
As Littler advances in the championship, his ability to maintain composure and deliver outstanding performances is gaining recognition, making him a formidable contender in the tournament.