Luke Woodhouse called on fans to get behind Luke Littler and "appreciate" his talents, after the 19-year-old has been subjected to boos by crowds at recent events. Littler set out to defend his World Grand Prix title on Monday in Leicester, but was knocked out by Woodhouse in the first round, suffering a 2-1 defeat. The world No 1 was seemingly not at his best during the match, averaging 82.41, with Woodhouse coming back from a set down to book a last 16 tie against Nathan Aspinall.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Reflecting on his victory, Woodhouse urged fans to get behind Littler, hailing him for how he has elevated the sport. He is going to have days and weeks where he's not right on it," Woodhouse said. "People have echoed it and I'm going to say it again: He's a one-of-a-kind, Luke Litter.
"I hope people will take the time to appreciate how good he is and not give him a hard time and I mean really sit behind him. "You might not see another Luke Littler ever again." Earlier in September, Littler was subjected to boos and whistles by some areas of the crowd during the World Series of Darts Finals in the Netherlands. Littler was booed by fans during his opening match against Danny Noppert, before again being jeered during his round of 16 match against Aspinall.
In that match, referee Charlie Corstorphine was forced to intervene to settle the crowd. The 19-year-old had also threatened to boycott events in the Netherlands, before later pulling out of two Players Championship events in the country. He was ultimately knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-finals by Jonny Clayton.
Asked why he thinks some have been giving the back-to-back PDC World Darts Championship winner a hard time, Woodhouse said: "I don't know. "He's done for the game what Phil [Taylor], Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and Gary Anderson have done and has taken it to the next level. "I just hope people get behind him, give him the support and appreciate what a top talent he is.
"OK, he wasn't on it tonight and last week he lost. But he's going to win so much more stuff." On Monday night, Woodhouse bounced back from losing the first set to level the match, before getting off to a flying start in the third set. He took the first two legs, before Littler hit back in the third.
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