Luke littler shuts down retirement talk as he eyes phil taylor record

World champion Luke Littler has quashed retirement rumours, affirming his commitment to darts ahead of Thursday's Premier League play-offs at the O2 Arena. The 18 year old prodigy is

set to take on Gerwyn Price in a bid to retain his first major TV title. Despite Nathan Aspinall's comments on Tuesday suggesting Littler might exit the sport in five years, the young

star made it clear he's here to stay, aiming to surpass Phil Taylor's record of 16 world titles. "I've heard that, I don't know where he's got that from –

don't worry, I'll be here in 10 years," Littler stated, highlighting the lucrative prize money available, particularly at the World Championship, and noting the overall

increase in winnings across the sport. "It's crazy to even think about retiring. If I win 16 world titles like Phil, I'll retire, but I'm not even thinking about

retirement at the minute – the money is there to be won, especially the World Championship, but not only that everything has gone up." Littler did acknowledge the pressure of being a

top player with a target on his back and the potential for burnout, remained focused as he stated: "It is all about what you're feeling and I'm sure I'll be here for a

long time." With ambitions to emulate the success of darts legends Taylor and Michael van Gerwen by securing consecutive Premier League titles, Littler is determined to prove his mettle

once again in London. He added: "For the last 18 months there's been a target on my back. Since I first came on tour and made the World Championship final, I just knew. "From

the moment I walked into my first Pro Tour competition, I knew everyone wanted to beat me. That is still the same now. There will always be a target on my back and I know if I'm not on

my A-game, they will catch me out." Aspinall could face Luke Littler in the Premier League final, provided he can pull off an upset against world number one Luke Humphries. He said:

"Even now Luke could retire and never have to worry about money again in his life, it's as simple as that. "He will always have exhibition work and I hope he doesn't

(retire). He's coming out of his shell a bit at the moment. "I'm really close to Luke as everybody knows and I've noticed over the last six months, probably through this

Premier League campaign, he's becoming a man now. I hope he stays for as long as he can but there are so many Luke Littler's in the making."