Luke Littler affirmed that he was delighted to add another trophy to the cabinet at the inaugural Riyadh Season Saudi Arabia Darts Masters on Tuesday.
Littler created another slice of history by winning the maiden World Series of Darts event held in Saudi Arabia, downing Michael Van Gerwen 8-5 in the final to become the first player to triumph at the Global Theater.
The World Champion took the scalps of Gian van Veen and Gerwyn Price en route to the final, before averaging just shy of 105 to deny Van Gerwen back-to-back World Series titles in the Middle East.
After faltering at the quarter-finals to Price in Bahrain on Thursday, the teenage superstar’s string of blistering performances in Riyadh ensured his 2026 is up and running.
“To be the first winner here in Saudi Arabia, it means a lot,” confessed Littler, who scooped his fifth World Series crown with victory at the Global Theater.
“It didn’t go to plan last week in Bahrain. Not a lot of practice went into it so that’s the result I get, but I was practicing quite a bit tonight and it’s paid off.
“We’ve come over here for the first time and everyone wanted to become the first champion, but I’m very glad to be the one to have done it. Hopefully we can come back next year and I can defend it.”
The teenage sensation - who celebrates his 19th birthday on Wednesday - has won three of the last four World Series events on offer, and does not plan on stopping soon.
Littler has won 31 of his last 33 televised ranking matches - a remarkable run that has included picking up the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam, Players Championship Finals, World Championship and the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters.
“As I’m getting older and getting more experience on stage, I’m getting much better,” affirmed Littler, who has been on the professional circuit for over two years.
“The experience comes into hand. I’ve definitely got better as I’ve got older and we’ve entered more tournaments.
“But we don’t stop here, we will try and get better.”
After a short holiday to celebrate his birthday, Littler’s focus will turn towards the World Masters, one of the few trophies that the World Champion is yet get his hands on.
In Littler’s maiden appearance at the tournament in 2025, he suffered a 4-2 quarter-final defeat to Jonny Clayton despite the teenager recording a sublime 108.5 average.
Nevertheless, the world number one is determined to scoop more fresh silverware in Milton Keynes when the tournament kicks off from Wednesday January 28.
“I definitely want to go to Milton Keynes and become champion,” asserted Littler.
“After the holiday, when I’m back, I’ll be practicing because it’s a title I’ve not picked up yet.
“Last year in the Masters I played pretty well early on, but then lost out to Jonny. It is what it is, that’s the format and what we’ve got to get used to, but I’ll be more than ready.”