Luke Littler says he ‘hates’ playing in Pro Tour events as he gears up for the much-anticipated World Championships next month. The teenage star has been in blistering form this year with key wins at the biggest events on the darts calendar. His rise to world champion in 2025 came just 12 months after his debut as a qualifier at Ally Pally and he followed that up with wins at the UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.More often than not, Littler has risen to the occasion when faced with the biggest obstacles despite his tender age of 18.Bigger is betterAnd Littler admits that his motivation for the big tournaments supersedes the lesser Pro Tour events which often lack atmosphere.“Everyone knows I hate the Pro Tours,” Littler said. “All you hear is squeaky chairs and people chatting. I love the stage, I love producing it, especially when I’m playing like that.”Littler continued his excellent run of form at the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts after he saw off Wessel Nijman to book his spot in the quarter-finals in Wolverhampton.“I just wanted to prove that point and go into the lead,” he said after racing into a quick 5-0 lead against Nijman. “Backstage I said to myself: he’s going to kick on, he’s quality. I said I’d take an 8–2 or a 7–3 into the break. I got the 7–3 and then went on to win.“You know me, I like to get off to a quick start and get it over with as soon as possible,” he said, although he acknowledged the longer format offers breathing room. “Plenty of time to settle in.”The Warrington star will face Josh Rock in what will be a repeat of their World Matchplay semi-final clash.Rock will offer a different type of challenge and Littler knows all about the threat he poses after overcoming the Northern Irishman in a closely-fought contest in July.The pair are friends away from the oche but Littler admits that once their quarter-final begins, it will be business as usual.Luke Littler feeds off the atmosphere and pressure of the big eventsGettyLittler must find a way past Josh Rock in Saturday’s quarter-final in WolverhamptonRex“Backstage we’ll always chat and have a laugh, but once we’re on stage we’re enemies and we’ve got to do our job.”Littler has been handed a rest day before he takes to the stage against Rock. However, the teenager admits he’d prefer not to rest and continue to play each day in the hope of continuing his momentum. “I just want to play day after day,” he admitted after his win over Nijman. “I played so well today and with it being first to 16 next, there’s more darts to be played, more time to get the average and doubles up.” Despite all of his accolades in darts, there is still one accomplishment that evades him – landing the world No.1 spot.Luke Humphries currently occupies that spot with Littler in second. However, the outcome of the Grand Slam is likely to determine who goes into the World Championships as darts’ top dog with a whopping £1million on offer for the winner.“It doesn’t really add pressure. I’ve still got a job to do,” Littler said on this year’s increased prize money. “Hopefully I can be world No. 1 going into the Worlds, but you can only beat what’s in front of you.”Littler is chasing down Humphries in the quest to be world No.1 ahead of the World ChampionshipsGettyNo need for changeLittler says there is no need to revamp the money-based ranking system in darts, insisting prize money should continue to dictate who is the world’s best.The Order of Merit was introduced into darts in 2007 which ranks players according to the prize money won in PDC ranking tournaments.“It’s been the same for so many years — there’s no point changing it,” Littler said. “Whoever wins the Worlds will be No. 1 for a long time. Even on the Pro Tour, new tour card holders get five grand for a run; they’d be happy with that. So probably stick with the prize money.”