Luke Littler eager to ‘get winning feeling back’ at Grand Slam of Darts

Luke Littler says “it feels like a year ago since I actually won something” as he aims for glory at the Grand Slam of Darts.

The back-to-back world champion is going through a drought by his standards, having not won any of the last three major tournaments.

He was going for a clean sweep in 2026 after winning the World Championship, World Masters, UK Open, Premier League and World Matchplay, but that dream ended with a quarter-final defeat in the World Series of Darts Finals.

A first-round exit at the Grand Prix was followed by a quarter-final defeat at the European Championship and Littler has lost that winning feeling.

“Obviously, results haven’t gone my way. I think I played fairly well in every tournament,” he told the Press Association.

“Maybe not the Grand Prix because everyone struggles in the Grand Prix, but it feels like a year ago I actually won something.

“But it’s only been a few months. I think I just need to get that winning feeling back and also be back on stage Saturday, and hopefully start the Grand Slam with a win.”

The Grand Slam begins with a three-person group stage and Littler has been drawn in the same pool as Beau Greaves.

The teenage double world champion being pitted against the standout women’s player at a major tournament, which headlines Saturday night’s opening schedule, shows how far the sport has come.

They have played each other twice professionally, with Greaves winning the World Youth Championship semi-final last year and Littler getting revenge in a Players Championship event.

“It’s great for me and Beau to play each other on a big stage,” Littler, speaking through his role as a KP Nuts ambassador, added.

“Obviously, we played against each other through the youth system as well, so it goes to show how well we’ve done over the last few years, and especially Beau and what she’s done.

“I’m looking forward to the game against her.”

Littler and Greaves have known each other for a long time and Greaves, who cannot afford to think her opponent will be off form, says it will be a special occasion.

“I’ve got to go in there thinking he’s going to absolutely smash me and just play my game and try and take any chance I can and just obviously enjoy it,” she said.

“I think it’s going to be a good game to be a part of, it is a special one.

“It’s special as well because I’ve known Luke for years since when he was really young, and we’ve both kind of played and gone on to do great things at different standards.

“It’s still really nice to kind of enjoy those games with him.

“I will just try to treat it as another game, but it is fun for me as well.

“And I have a bit of fun with him because, it’s a great thing that we’re both doing so well.”