Luke Littler perceives Ricardo Pietreczko’s statements as a provocation. The German darts star now clarifies his remarks and speaks about the overall demeanor of the 18-year-old world champion.
After the direct duel with Ricardo Pietreczko, world champion Luke Littler was irritated by the German’s behavior – now “Pikachu” reacts and explains his point of view. “What he said was made bigger by the media than it actually was,” said the German darts professional on Thursday in a press round, in which SPORT1 also took part.
Pietreczko explained the situation as follows: “We were relaxed and having fun backstage. I then told him in the second break that I was happy to have survived the second break, and that I had hoped to win more than one leg beforehand. That was meant more as a joke, the way I am, but Luke Littler apparently took it a little differently.”
There have been several incidents between Luke Littler (l.) and Ricardo Pietreczko
Before Darts World Championship: Littler irritated by “Pikachu”
The two met last Saturday at the Players Championship Finals, where the 18-year-old world champion prevailed with 10:6 in legs. After the match, he revealed that “Pikachu” had tried to get into his head.
The Englishman was apparently irritated by the statements and the timing: “I just said to myself: ‘Why is he saying something like that at this moment?’ Then I said to myself: ‘You’re going to feel this now. I’m definitely going to win this game.’ That’s how it happened.”
Littler? “I still think it’s a bit arrogant to me”
Pietreczko was also asked in the press round how he generally perceives Littler. “I still think it’s a bit arrogant to me how he comes across, but the way he plays, he can afford it sometimes,” said the German.
As an example, the 31-year-old cited a situation from the past game when the world number one checked 121 points remaining via Bull-Triple 7-Bull. “You could have played it differently, but at that moment I celebrated it. With that he showed me that he is the boss and I thought it was okay,” Pietreczko clarified.
Darts World Championship: Pietreczko reacts to the draw
At the upcoming Darts World Championship (from December 11th – January 3rd LIVE on SPORT1 ) he will meet José de Sousa in the 1st round, whom he has known for many years. “I know what he played this year. Now he played a good tournament (the World Championship qualifier, editor’s note) . The draw could have been worse, but also better,” said “Pikachu”.
As in previous years, Pietreczko’s goal is to become world champion. “But I also know that it will be pretty difficult because of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. But I got out of the way of both of them in the draw. I am furthest away from both of them, that is an advantage,” said the German darts star. Finally, he added: “I am only satisfied when I am world champion and can say that it is a good tournament.”
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