Emotional Littler underlines greatness after almost quitting Premier LeagueImage source, PA MediaImage caption, Luke Littler has made the final in all three of his Premier League campaignsByCharlotte CoatesBBC Sport journalist at The O2Published18 minutes agoWith the Premier League trophy high above his head once again on The O2 stage, Luke Littler broke down in tears. The 19-year-old was in disbelief at regaining the crown in one of the all-time great finals with Luke Humphries because he came close to quitting the invitational event.The two-time champion and world number one has endured a tumultuous third Premier League campaign with on-stage arguments and boos from the thousands in attendance. Speaking after his 11-10 victory, he told Sky Sports: “After Brighton [in week 10], I think I came off stage and the incident in Manchester [argument with Gian van Veen], I was sat at home saying to Faith [his partner], ‘I don’t want to do it anymore, just the crowd every week’.”I mentioned to her, ‘I’m down bad’.”Week nine in Manchester is where the atmosphere in the crowd started to turn against Littler.
After a missed match dart by Van Veen, the pair exchanged a frosty handshake and the Dutchman mentioned Littler “was out of order” at what he perceived to be a celebration at the miss.
Littler also gestured that Van Veen was a “cry baby” and the pair did not speak for multiple weeks.
After Manchester came Brighton, where Littler was dumped out at the quarter-final stage by Stephen Bunting with a measly 84 average.
And then came Rotterdam – where fans were behind one of their own in Van Veen – before events in Liverpool and Leeds where Littler has been routinely booed because of his support of Manchester United.
The teenager called the Rotterdam reception the “worst I have experienced” and that his mindset was now to “just expect the worst”.
On Wednesday, at the pre-finals night media event, Littler mentioned the fans were “fickle” for mixing booing and cheering.
Just over 24 hours later, Littler was loudly cheered by the O2 crowd after breaking down twice during his on-stage TV interview.
Speaking later in a news conference, Littler, who won £410,000 in prize money, hoped his release of emotions would be a “turning point” in his relationship with the crowd.
He mentioned: “I’m not asking for sympathy – I just told the world how I was feeling during the Premier League. The biggest outcome is next to me [the trophy].
“From the Brighton game, the Manchester game, I’ve proved everyone wrong once again and I can’t believe it.”
