Update: Luke Littler hints at Germany darts events boycott following latest defeat News

Luke Littler was soundly beaten by Gian van Veen in the semi-finals of the German Darts Grand Prix, and the world champion was not in a good mood after his exit

Darts sensation Luke Littler has hinted at a break from German events until the European Tour’s concluding event in October.

Known as ‘The Nuke’, Littler clearly didn’t relish his time in Munich following a heavy defeat to Gian van Veen in the German Darts Grand Prix semis.

Having secured a win against up-and-comer Cam Crabtree on Sunday, Littler progressed to Monday’s matches.

He performed impressively with triumphs over Joe Cullen and Peter Wright but hit a snag against 22-year-old Van Veen, who is rapidly gaining recognition.

Van Veen outshone the current world champion in the semi-final, delivering an imposing 110.81 average to Littler’s 95.78, and coasted into the final with a decisive 7-4 victory, completing it with double 16.

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Shortly after being knocked out of the competition, Littler took to Instagram with a photo of the footwell in the back of a car, the caption reflecting his discontent: “Shouldn’t have been in Munich but had to play anyway.

“Next one in Germany for me is Dortmund and I am glad to say that.”

Littler, usually a crowd favourite, encountered an unusual dynamic during the German Darts Grand Prix, facing a crowd more supportive of his rivals.

His dismay was visible when fans cheered for Wright in the quarters, and after losing to Van Veen, he chose not to engage with the audience.

With the European Tour’s season finale in Dortmund it appears that Littler will boycott the European Darts Grand Prix early next month, the European Darts Open on the last weekend of May, the Baltic Sea Darts Open in July and the German Darts Championship in October.

“I had a little headloss moment, as some of us players do,” he said following his recent defeat. “I just don’t get it, and I can’t explain it. Obviously, you do your walk-on, but then as soon as I got on stage, I started getting booed.

“I got booed in Hildesheim last year against Peter Wright on the European Tour. I was flying and then they started booing me and I lost. It’s something we’ve all got to deal with. Obviously, the Germans mustn’t like us English.”