03 January 2024 , 07:42
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Luke Littler's sister Caitlin sent the darts star a touching message after his "absolutely amazing" 6-2 victory over Rob Cross to reach the PDC World Championship final.
The 16-year-old is enjoying a dream run at Alexandra Palace, having now knocked out two former world champions in Cross and Raymond van Barneveld. Littler is set to face Luke Humphries in the final, who became the new world number one after beating Scott Williams 6-0 in his semi-final match.
And Littler has been sent some words of encouragement by his sister ahead of the final. "Can't even put into words how proud I am of you, absolutely amazing @lukethenukelittler", she wrote on her Instagram story along with a love heart.
Humphries will be Littler's toughest challenge yet, but the teenager is feeling confident about his chances of lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy. "It's not even sunk in yet," Littler admitted after his win over Cross.
"I threw big averages on the floor the past year and I'm happy to bring it on to the big stage. I've got to stay focused, be Luke Littler and relax. It's beyond believable. I only set a goal of winning one game and coming back after Christmas and I'm still standing.
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"I can't imagine lifting the trophy. I have to just beat whoever is in front of me. I've got to stay mature, got to be myself and keep myself to myself. I've got to stay composed and try and get over that line."
Luke Littler's sister Caitlin sent the darts star a touching message on social media (Instagram/@cait.littler)Humphries, meanwhile, was full of praise for Littler and admitted he will "probably have to play the game of my life" to beat him. He said: "The way he's played, I've seen it many times. When you come up on this stage it can be a lot tougher but he's just proved he's got a lot of bottle.
"Nothing is going to faze him. If he plays like he did tonight, tomorrow is not going to faze him at all, so I will probably have to play the game of my life. I will probably have to play like that again to stand a chance of beating him.
"I know what's in front of me and what the task is. I've got to play at my best tomorrow but I'm hoping I make him play his best as well and we give the fans hopefully one of the best world finals we have ever seen."