Luke Littler reflects on becoming world number one following his Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts triumph on Sunday, when he made history in becoming the youngest-ever player to top the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder.
Littler overcame Danny Noppert 16-9 in the semi-finals to confirm his position at the apex of the sport on Sunday, overtaking Luke Humphries to become world number one.
The 18-year-old then dealt a double blow to Humphries by defeating his great rival 16-11 in a captivating final to retain the Grand Slam trophy.
Littler's exploits now move him over £160,000 clear of Humphries, topping the world rankings less than two years after becoming a professional.
“I am the best in the world, I can finally say it,” asserted Littler, who broke Michael van Gerwen’s record in becoming the youngest world number one.
“Obviously I have been checking the rankings, and if Luke had won tonight, he would have been only £500 behind me – but I've managed to pull away and make that a larger gap.
“To top it off, going back-to-back at the Grand Slam makes it even more special.
“Now I'm number one, I'm hungry to stay there and I want to be there for the next few years.”
Littler's triumph over Humphries in Wolverhampton was the second time the pair have encountered each other in a PDC Premier final this autumn - following the World Grand Prix last month - and the second time the teenager ran out winner.
The pair are comfortably clear at the top of the Werner Rankings Ladder, with now world number two Humphries holding double the prize money of third-placed Van Gerwen, deepening an already intense rivalry.
“I think we are the best players in the world,” admitted Littler, with one of himself or Humphries featuring in all seven Premier ranked finals of 2025 so far.
“The finals show it and the stats show it. If everyone is getting bored of me and him, then someone needs to stop us otherwise we will keep winning.
“We are going to be battling even more and keep playing well because he wants it back and I don’t want to give it away.”
Littler’s Grand Slam success was his eighth Premier title in the 22 months he has spent as a professional player, reflecting the young star’s rapid ascent in the sport.
The Grand Slam victory was the first time Littler had defended a Premier title, and the experience gained has given the Warrington wonderkid hunger to keep the world number one position his own for a substantial period.
“You’ve got to keep picking up more titles and still got to be wanting it,” said Littler. “You want to stay at number one as long as possible. I want to stay here for a few years.
“Now I want to get my name on every trophy twice, and then a third time and a fourth time."
Littler’s time at the summit of the world rankings is safe until at least until the Paddy Power World Darts Championship in December, the same tournament he burst onto the scene almost two years ago and finished as runner-up.
However, Humphries – his opponent in that final and arch nemesis now – is looking to regain the world number one spot as soon as possible.
The 30-year-old had won the World Masters and Premier League earlier this year, and has been the runner-up in the World Grand Prix, European Championship and Grand Slam during a strong autumn.
“I'm going to win the Worlds,” claimed a bullish Humphries, whose reign at world number one lasted 22 months following his victory over Littler in the Ally Pally final in January 2024.
“That's three finals on the trot I've lost. I'm ready for the Worlds now.
“We are going go to war. I am declaring war because I'm obviously disappointed to lose the last three finals, but I'm playing good.
“At the World Championship, if it’s me and him in the final, we will see who's the number one there.”