Darts world champion Luke Littler has decided to participate in the upcoming German Darts Championship in October, ending his previous boycott of German tournaments. The 18-year-old had initially refused to play in events held in Germany due to facing hostility from the audience, notably during a match against Gian van Geen at the Munich Grand Prix semifinals in April.
Despite expressing reluctance after the negative experiences, Littler confirmed his attendance at the German Darts Championship in Heidenheim next month, which boasts a prize fund of £175,000. This competition will see him compete alongside renowned players like Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Stephen Bunting, marking his return to Germany following a prior World Cup appearance.
Reflecting on past incidents where he faced booing and hostility from German fans, Littler acknowledged feeling unsettled by the treatment he received on stage. His partner, Luke Humphries, also observed the discomfort Littler experienced due to the unwelcoming crowd atmosphere.
Notwithstanding the challenging circumstances, Humphries expressed support for Littler’s resilience, emphasizing the need to appreciate Littler’s contributions to the sport rather than subjecting him to negative reactions. As the duo looks ahead to potential future collaborations, Humphries remains optimistic about Littler’s participation and hopes for a more positive environment in upcoming tournaments.