Emma Raducanu says she would advise Luke Littler to fully enjoy his success and to keep his circle of family and friends tight in the aftermath of his historic run to the final of the PDC World Darts Championship.
“I would just say: ‘Keep your circle close, take time to actually enjoy it and don’t rush into the next thing straightaway,’” said Raducanu.
Last month, the 16-year-old Littler became the youngest player to win a match at the World Darts Championship before eventually reaching the final. His run was one of the most surprising breakout performances from a British sports star since an 18-year-old Raducanu became the first player to win a grand slam title from qualifying at the US Open in 2021.
In the years since her US Open triumph, Raducanu has struggled with injuries, culminating in her undergoing three separate surgeries last April on both hands and her left ankle. The 21-year-old returned to competition in Auckland last week after a nine-month layoff and the Australian Open will mark her first grand slam appearance since last year’s tournament in Melbourne.
Raducanu said that she did not watch the darts but her attention was drawn to Littler by a friend who was impressed. “My friend just sent me a picture of the boy who was like 16, who made the final, I think? He lost in the final. She was like: ‘I can’t believe this guy’s only 16 years old,” said Raducanu.
Raducanu will face Shelby Rogers, one of her opponents during her title run in New York, in the first round in Melbourne. In her absence from the tour, Raducanu has fallen to a world ranking of 299.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray said he is trying to conduct himself more positively and enjoy himself. “I definitely feel like I’m enjoying it better,” he said. “I think part of that is the mental side of it. Tennis is a difficult game in that respect. When you’re struggling, you’re out there on your own, it can be difficult at times..”