Luke Littler says early retirement talk is ‘crazy’ after Nathan Aspinall suggested the Nuke could hang up his arrows in the not too distant future.
The 18-year-old has already achieved more than most every will in darts, as the reigning world champion bids to defend his Premier League title on Thursday night in London.
The teenager is yet to claim top spot in the world rankings, where Luke Humphries still resides, but with UK Open and Grand Slam titles also under his belt already, it appears only a matter of time.
Such has been his incredible success at such a young age that Aspinall can see Littler sailing off into the sunset pretty soon, having become tired of travelling and with enough money in the bank to retire early.
‘I think he’ll be off in about five years,’ world number nine Aspinall told talkSPORT. ‘He’s 18. He does a lot on YouTube, he’s good mates with [YouTuber] Angryginge. I can see him going down that path, in my opinion.
‘He’s already getting fed up with playing and travelling all the time, and he’s only been doing it 12 months.
‘I don’t think he’ll be around for 16 years, let alone winning 16 world titles. If he does, fair play to him. But I can’t see it.’
Aspinall rowed back on predicting Littler retiring in just five years, but cannot see the Nuke still competing past 33 years old.
‘Even now Luke could retire and never have to worry about money again in his life, it’s as simple as that,’ he Aspinall.
‘He will always have exhibition work and I hope he doesn’t [retire]. He’s coming out of his shell a bit at the moment.
‘I just believe if he’s fed up of travelling now, he’s only just got a girlfriend, when he does have a child and stuff like that and he’s got £30m sat in his bank, does he really want to travel to Wigan on a cold Tuesday morning? Probably not.
‘Maybe not in five years but certainly I don’t think he’ll be around at my age, so that’s 15 years. I don’t think he’ll be here at 33.’
The prediction was put to Littler and he does not agree, saying retirement is the last thing on his mind at the moment so early in his career and with the opportunities in front of him.
‘I know I’ve heard that, I don’t know where he’s got that from – don’t worry, I’ll be here in 10 years,’ Littler said.
‘It’s crazy to even think about retiring. If I win 16 world titles like Phil (Taylor), I’ll retire, but I’m not even thinking about retirement at the minute – the money is there to be won, especially the World Championship but not only that everything has gone up.
‘It is all about what you’re feeling and I’m sure I’ll be here for a long time.’
The next opportunity available to Littler is to win the Premier League for the second time on Thursday night after lifting the trophy on debut last year.
The Nuke takes on Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals of the play-offs at The O2 while Humphries and Aspinall meet in the second contest of the night.
The winner will win £275,000 on Thursday night, with Littler looking to land the huge amount for the second year on the spin.
Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardle reckons it is going to be another Littler vs Humphries final, just as it was 12 months ago.
‘Over the longer format, I do see Luke and Luke reaching the final,’ said Mardle. ‘If they both hit peak then it could be absolute carnage.
‘I do believe that they meet in the final. No offence to Price and Aspinall, I just think they are better, especially over the longer format now.’