Luke Littler hit back at hecklers in the Australian Darts Masters crowd after sealing an 8-4 victory over Mike De Decker in Saturday’s final, claiming his fourth World Series title and first of the season in the process.
The 18-year-old, who also pocketed £30,000 in prize money, faced jeers from spectators throughout the weekend but responded in the most emphatic way by lifting the trophy.
Littler opened his campaign with a hard-fought win over Haupai Puha on Friday before cruising past Australian favourite Damon Heta in the quarter-finals.
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He then dispatched top seed Stephen Bunting in the semis to set up the final showdown with Belgian debutant De Decker.
Luke Littler hit back at hecklers in the Australian Darts Masters crowd after sealing an 8-4 victory over Mike De Decker in Saturday’s final, claiming his fourth World Series title and first of the season in the process
|GETTY
After sealing the title, Littler addressed the taunts he’d endured.
He said: “There was a group to my right… every time I didn’t hit a treble they were shouting ‘rubbish, rubbish’.
"Someone even said I was washed. Not sure what he meant, obviously I’m ‘washed’ but I just won. The darts did the talking.”
The English star even faced hostility during his clash with Heta, with sections of the crowd booing his throws.
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Rather than be rattled, Littler cheekily mimicked the jeers before getting back to business at the oche.
Explaining how he handles the verbal barbs, the reigning world champion added: “The first time I hear it, I’ll react, but then I let it go.
"I just focus on my darts and let them do the talking.
"Nobody has taught me how to deal with it. You’re on stage alone, nobody else can help you. You just get on with it.”
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Australian darts masters champ🏆 feels great to finally pick up this trophy!🫡 pic.twitter.com/YGuVYmIrBc
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) August 9, 2025
That mental steel will be a worrying sign for his rivals.
Littler has been steadily regaining form in recent weeks, having also triumphed at the World Matchplay.
For him, the hunger to win is fuelled by any setback.
“Any losing final motivates me because you want to come back and go one better,” he said.
“My debut last year didn’t go to plan, but second time lucky.
"As a world champion, you need to be winning things. It took five months between titles, but now with the Matchplay and this, I’ve got that winning feeling back.
“There’s a difference, you’re a world champion. For me, it’s about feeling confident.
"This is the most confident I’ve felt in a long time. I’ll enjoy the win, but it’s another early flight to New Zealand and two hours ahead, so I’ll be needing some sleep.”
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Luke Littler was too strong for Mike De Decker in their showdown at the Australian Darts Masters
| GETTYThe teenager now turns his attention to Auckland, where he’ll aim to add yet another title before heading into the World Series Finals in Amsterdam.
If his Australian campaign proved anything, it’s that Littler can still claim silverware - regardless of how the crowd treat him.