Michael van Gerwen has praised Luke Littler’s performance in the teenager’s stunning win at the Bahrain Masters, though warned fans and the media to give him time to grow.
The 16-year-old enjoyed a memorable day on Friday, producing an incredible nine-darter as he saw off Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-final before beating Gerwyn Price to set up a showdown with Van Gerwen in the final.
Despite a few nerves on doubles, Littler won the best-of-15 match 8-5 to claim his first ever World Series title and first ever win over the Dutchman.
MVG was magnanimous in defeat and had plenty of praise for Littler, but he was also keen for fans and the media to avoid putting any extra pressure or expectation on his young shoulders.
‘Everyone says he’s a new kid, but everyone knows what he’s capable of,’ Van Gerwen told ITV4 shortly after his defeat.
‘The crowds, the television, everyone wants to make him bigger. But he’s already a good player.
‘I know you all want to push him, but let him grow. Let him do his thing.
‘You [the media] have to learn, the crowd has to learn, and everyone involved with television has to learn.
‘Don’t push him too much. Of course we know he’s a good player. But give him his time and everything will come, no problem.’
On his performance in the final, he continued: ‘Of course, it’s never going to be a good week when I’m not winning, it’s as simple as that. Luke had a fantastic tournament as well.
‘I couldn’t produce what I was doing in the other games, and you punish yourself. That’s how sport works, you’ve got to live with that and you’ve got to make sure you get better for the next one.
‘Of course I’m disappointed, but that’s the way sport works. You win some, you lose some. I’ll get him, don’t worry!’
Littler himself said: ‘I’m happy to win, I played well yesterday and I’ve played well again tonight. No-one probably believes me but I’ve not thrown a dart since the world final!
‘Michael is one of the very best and I’m happy to win on my debut. It’s been unbelievable this week and I’m happy to come out as the winner.’
MORE : Teenager Luke Littler stuns Michael van Gerwen to win first World Series title
MORE : Luke Littler becomes youngest player to hit televised nine-darter at Bahrain Masters
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