Luke Littler opened up on his surprise emotional reaction at the PDC World Darts Championship.
Littler sealed a spot in the third round of the tournament thanks to a 3-1 victory over Ryan Meikle.
However, the scoreline did not quite reflect just how close the contest was in the opening sets as the 17-year-old battled against the nerves.
But once he had settled down, the teen sensation pulled away and showed all the reasons why he is a hot favourite to win it all.
The No. 4 seed came agonisingly close to landing the second nine-darter of this year’s tournament, which would have gifted one lucky fan at the Alexandra Palace a cool £60,000.
Littler also hit a staggering average of 140.91 in the fourth and final set of the match, shattering the record for the best average in a set at the World Championships.
Despite his blistering display late on, Littler became visibly emotional in his post-match interview on stage with Sky Sports’ Abigail Davies, so much so the live coverage cut to a commercial break.
After the interview, Littler was seen hugging his parents as his other appeared to wipe her eyes.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT after his victory, Littler explained why he ‘had to go and see my mum and dad’.
“Obviously I drank my water and said to Abi (Davies), ‘I’m fine, let’s do the interview,'” Littler said.
“As soon as she asked me the question and the fans, it was just a bit too much.
“So I went off stage.”
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Littler also explained that despite his match being only a second-round clash against the world No. 62, it was ‘probably the most important game I’ve ever played’.
When asked why that was the case, Littler said: “All week I was looking forward, excited to play on stage, no nerves.
“The train journey down here was fine, just being myself.
“And then as soon as I got on that stage, it was like, ‘I don’t want to be here.’ Just in my head.
“It was tough, but I dragged myself over the line.”
Littler added: “The first set was just absolute nerves. Obviously I broke him and then come on for the second set with the throw and just didn’t do awfully much about it.
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“I always say after those two breaks, you say to yourself, ‘That’s it now, you’ve had your two breaks.'”
After the second set it was only one-way traffic, as Meikle won only a single leg across the final six.
But Littler added: “It was probably the toughest game I’ve ever played. I had to fight until the end.
“As soon as the question came on stage and then boom, the tears came. It was just a bit too much to speak on stage.
“It is the worst game I have played. I have never felt anything like that.
“Yes, probably the biggest time it’s [the nerves] hit me. Coming into it I was fine, but as soon as [referee] George Noble said ‘game on’, I couldn’t throw them.”
The win does mean Littler can enjoy Christmas with his family safe in the knowledge his quest for a maiden world title is still intact.
The 17-year-old will face Ian White in the next round.
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