The eagerly anticipated draw for the 2024-25 PDC World Darts Championship has thrown up a potential blockbuster clash between British teenage sensation Luke Littler and the trailblazing Fallon Sherrock. The darting world is abuzz with excitement at the prospect of witnessing a battle between the sport’s brightest young star and the woman who made history by becoming the first female player to win a match at the prestigious tournament.
Littler’s Meteoric Rise
At just 17 years old, Luke Littler has already taken the darts scene by storm. The Runcorn-born prodigy captured the imagination of fans worldwide during his incredible run to the final of last year’s PDC World Championship, where he ultimately fell short against the now world number one, Luke Humphries.
Since that breakthrough performance, Littler has gone from strength to strength, amassing an impressive haul of 10 senior titles, including the prestigious Premier League and the Grand Slam of Darts. His rapid ascent up the rankings has seen him secure the number four seeding for this year’s World Championship, cementing his status as one of the sport’s most exciting prospects.
The Sherrock Factor
Standing in Littler’s way could be none other than Fallon Sherrock, the darting queen who shot to global stardom at the 2019 World Championship. Sherrock made history by becoming the first woman to win a match at the tournament, defeating Ted Evetts in a thrilling first-round encounter before following it up with a stunning victory over world number 11, Mensur Suljović.
Fallon’s achievements at the Alexandra Palace in 2019 were a watershed moment for the sport. She showed that women can not only compete with the men but also beat them on the biggest stage of all.
A PDC spokesperson
Sherrock’s groundbreaking exploits earned her the moniker “Queen of the Palace” and have made her a household name in the darting world. Her potential second-round meeting with Littler has all the makings of a classic encounter, pitting the young upstart against the experienced trailblazer.
The Humphries Factor
While the prospect of a Littler-Sherrock showdown has captured the imagination, the tournament’s top seed and defending champion, Luke Humphries, will be keen to remind everyone of his own formidable talent. Humphries, who defeated Littler in last year’s final, has been in scintillating form over the past 12 months, cementing his position as the world’s best player.
The Newbury-born star has continued his dominance in head-to-head meetings with Littler, winning eight of their 12 encounters since last year’s World Championship final. Most recently, Humphries triumphed 11-7 in the Players Championship final, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
- Luke Humphries has won 8 of his 12 meetings with Luke Littler since last year’s World Championship final
- Humphries defeated Littler 11-7 in the recent Players Championship final
- The world number one will be keen to assert his dominance and defend his title
A Tournament to Remember
With the stage set for a series of mouth-watering clashes, the 2024-25 PDC World Darts Championship promises to be a tournament for the ages. As the sport’s biggest names descend upon the iconic Alexandra Palace, fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating the drama, the tension, and the incredible displays of darting prowess that have become the hallmark of this prestigious event.
The World Championship is the pinnacle of our sport, and this year’s edition has all the ingredients to be one of the most memorable in recent history. The emergence of Luke Littler, the continued rise of Fallon Sherrock, and the dominance of Luke Humphries have set the stage for a fascinating battle for the Sid Waddell Trophy.
PDC Chairman Eddie Hearn
As the tournament draws ever closer, the anticipation continues to build. Will Luke Littler’s youthful exuberance and prodigious talent propel him to a maiden world title, or will the experience and guile of his rivals prove too much to overcome? Can Fallon Sherrock write another chapter in her remarkable story, or will the pressure of expectation weigh heavy on her shoulders?
These questions and more will be answered when the first darts are thrown at the Alexandra Palace on December 15th. One thing is for certain: the 2024-25 PDC World Darts Championship will be an event that no sports fan will want to miss.