Michael van Gerwen has insisted that he does not fear the possibility of facing Luke Littler at this year’s World Darts Championship.
Littler is among the favourites to secure the top prize at Alexandra Palace, having come on leaps and bounds since losing to Luke Humphries in the final of last year’s competition.
The teenage superstar could meet Van Gerwen if he gets to the final again, with the Dutchman likely to go into such an encounter as the underdog.
However, he laughed off suggestions of Littler’s fear factor when quizzed on the prospect of renewing their rivalry at Alexandra Palace.
“I’m not playing my best and he’s still not beat me more than I’ve beaten him,” said Van Gerwen. “Am I scared of him? Not a chance.
“I think it’s a total combination. He’s a good player, of course he is. He has the media attention and everything goes his way at the moment, he’s in a flow.
“Luke Littler is not unbeatable. He lost in the first round in the World Matchplay to me. He lost in the first round in the Grand Prix. Then he is winning a tournament again, then Humphries won.
“You have Mike De Decker winning a tournament and Richie Edhouse the European Championship. No one is unbeatable. Of course, his standard I think is great for the game. He’s got the capability of doing it for a long time.”
Van Gerwen will be hoping to go under the radar at Alexandra Palace, with most of the attention on Littler following his recent Grand Slam of Darts triumph and Humphries as the defending champion.
Asked if he feels he will be a dangerous opponent with the spotlight on his two biggest rivals, Van Gerwen replied: “Maybe, I don’t know yet. I think they deserve the credit. For me I’m not really worrying about what they do.
“I have to deal with my own situation. I have to focus myself on my own game and we are going to see what will happen at the World Championship. It is a different tournament. I’ve never played badly there so that’s a good thing.
“I’m more relaxed now and my darts have to do the talking. The only thing I can reply with that: work hard, practice hard and make sure I get mentally ready for the World Championship.”
