Luke Littler is set to renew his rivalry with Mike De Decker at the World Masters. The 19-year-old faces the Belgian in his opening match and tensions have risen from some of their past meetings.
The two-time world champion will feel confident of progressing to the last 16 of the Milton Keynes event on Friday. Littler boasts a 7-0 record over De Decker, including his most recent victory at the World Grand Prix in October. When asked for his thoughts about the 3-0 win, Littler described the match as being “a bit boring.” The teenager’s words did not sit well with former darts star Vincent van der Voort, who accused Littler of being disrespectful to the then-reigning World Grand Prix champion.
On the Darts Draait Door podcast, Van der Voort said of Littler’s comments. “That’s just a tap on the chin you give someone like De Decker. You don’t have to say that. It’s inappropriate and not very respectful.”
He continued: “At the Grand Slam, Littler actually needed the crowd to beat De Decker. And then to make comments like that about someone who won a tournament just last year – putting him down like that, I don’t like it.
“But at the same time, it adds a bit of spice. Hopefully De Decker will take that personally and go into their next match with fire in his belly.”
It remains to be seen whether Littler’s remarks will provide the 30-year-old with added motivation at the World Masters. However, it was not the first issue to emerge between the two players.
Almost a year before their World Grand Prix meeting, De Decker came agonisingly close to defeating Littler at the Grand Slam of Darts, eventually losing 10-9. In the aftermath, De Decker criticised the crowd’s behaviour, having been subjected to boos at crucial moments, and hit out at the PDC.
He told Viaplay: “I asked [caller] Kirk Bevin to address the crowd, but he wouldn’t even do that. Why is he even there then?”
De Decker added: “Filing a complaint? That won’t do anything. The PDC will just say they will look into it, and then that’s it. It’s sad, but that’s how it works.”
The World Masters is being held at Arena MK, with the semi-finals and final set to take place on Sunday. The winner will receive £100,000 of the total £500,000 prize pot.
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